SA reviews advance care directives

The Government of South Australia is concerned that current advance directives are too complicated and has decided that they and the processes around them need to be examined to find out what would make them easier to use and apply.

A Review Committee chaired by the Hon Martyn Evans, with members from a range of backgrounds, including members of the public will consider submissions about the Issues Paper (which has been released), consult with the public and experts, and develop recommendations for changes.

The Review Committee will also:

· consult with those who have completed advance directives and those who apply them in their work
· examine and assess how well advance directives are working for South Australians and for the health, community, legal and financial sectors
· suggest ways in which health, lifestyle and financial advance directives work together better for people who wish to complete them
· consider ways to make it easier for people and their families to use advance directives
· consider ways to protect people from abuse by those they have trusted to speak for them
· work to increase awareness and inform the community about advance directives, and
· ensure that any changes contribute to good decision-making in the health, community and financial sectors.

The government will consider the committee’s recommendations and decide what changes need to be made.

Members of the public have until 8 June to make a submission to the review.

For more information visit www.health.sa.gov.au/advancedirectives