How to make an Advance Care Plan

There is specific information for different states & territories relating to "Step 6" of this guide. Please choose your state from the selection box to the left.

General Advance Care Planning Steps

Step 1 - Think about your beliefs and values and your goals for what is important in your life.

Step 2 - Think about your current health and treatment options.

Step 3 - Think about what you would want from future medical care and what sort of treatment would and would not be of sufficient therapeutic benefit (treatment that you think would or would not be worthwhile).

Step 4 - Talk to your family/next of kin/important others about these issues.

Step 5 - Talk to your doctor about these issues.

Step 6 - Choose an agent/attorney/guardian who will make your medical decisions if you are unable to - Select your state above to find out how to do this.

If you are at a hospital, aged care facility or palliative care service that is currently offering Respecting Patient Choices:

Step 7a – Meet with your agent/attorney/guardian and the Respecting Patient Choices Consultant.

Step 8a - Work with the Respecting Patient Choices Consultant and your agent/attorney/guardian to complete your Advance Care Plan.

Step 9a - Provide copies of your Advance Care Plan to your family, your agent/attorney/guardian, hospital and local doctor and anyone else whom you feel is appropriate.

If you are NOT at a health care service that is currently offering Respecting Patient Choices

Step 7b – Meet with your agent/attorney/guardian and your doctor

Step 8b – Discuss what is important to you, your current health and your future medical choices with your doctor and your agent/attorney/guardian. Ask your doctor to help you write down your wishes about future medical treatment. Make sure you sign and date this written statement. Ask your agent/attorney to read this statement and explain what it means to them.

Step 9b - Give copies of the form for appointing your agent/attorney/guardian and your written statement to your family/partner, your agent/attorney/guardian, hospital and local doctor and anyone else whom you feel is appropriate.

When is an Advance Care Plan used?

An Advance Care Plan will be used to guide future medical decisions ONLY when you lose the ability to make or communicate your medical treatment decisions yourself. In this case, your agent/attorney/guardian (if appointed) will make medical treatment decisions on your behalf, in consultation with your treating doctors. Medical treatment decisions will be made in your best interests and taking into account your expressed wishes.

If you do not make an Advance Care Plan, your treating doctors will still care for you and provide treatment in your best interests.