Today, Teressa Maines listened to the Launch of WA’s revised Advance Health Directive (‘AHD’) by the Department of Health (WA Health). The program was very informative and there was a lot of excitement surrounding it.
An AHD provides individuals (over 18 and who have capacity) with an opportunity to take control of their medical and end-of-life care decisions. It is a legal document governed by the Guardianship and Administration Act 1990 (WA) and the Guardianship and Administration Regulations 2005 (WA).
One of the major changes in the revised AHD is the inclusion of the values and preferences of the individual. The form is more comprehensive and will be beneficial to not only the individual but their family members and their treating medical clinicians. There are plans for a register for AHD’s and this will be a significant change if/when it is implemented.
As estate planning solicitors, we can make our clients aware of this document, encourage discussion with their family, friends and GP and assist them in the legalities of this and other estate planning documents.
On 25 August Teressa will attend an event held by the Law Society of Western Australia introducing the new AHD to the legal profession. We look forward to hearing more about the revised AHD.
The photo below is from today’s program and shows some of the words that were discussed on the importance of advance care planning.
