South Aussies to have wishes granted
It may now be easier for South Australians to express their wishes about their future health care, residential, accommodation and personal affairs after a new Bill passed through state parliament.
It may now be easier for South Australians to express their wishes about their future health care, residential, accommodation and personal affairs after a new Bill passed through state parliament.
SA Minister for Health and Ageing, Jack Snelling, said the new Advance Care Directive will make it simpler for people to clearly communicate their wishes about their future arrangements.
“The new Advance Care Directive will replace the three existing forms: Enduring Power of Guardianship, Medical Power of Attorney and Anticipatory Direction,” Mr Snelling said.
“Importantly, this new Act will make it easier for people to leave instructions about their care in the event they can no longer make such decisions for themselves.”
He added it would allow competent adults to appoint and/or instruct one or more trusted Substitute Decision-Maker/s to make such decisions on their behalf.
“They can also write down preferences or instructions for future care and decisionmaking.”
Mr Snelling said the new Advance Care Directive will take effect when a person’s capacity to make a particular decision is impaired, whether it is permanently or temporarily.
“This will allow competent adults to express their values, what quality of life means to them and how they want decisions made for them when they are unable to decide for themselves,” he said.
“This will give people peace of mind that the care they receive and decisions others make for them will be in accordance with their wishes, values and preferences.”
The Bill was the result of extensive consultation with South Australians, including those in the health, community, aged care, disability care and legal sectors, as well as community organisations and the general public.
“It allows people to clearly express their wishes for their care and also offers protections for the health practitioners and substitute decisionmakers for acting on a person’s Advance Care Directive.
“Information about these changes and how they will be implemented will be part of a broader public awareness campaign.”
It is anticipated these changes will come in to affect early next year.
