An Advance Care Directive is an important step forward in planning for future health care, preferred living arrangements and other personal matters.
Consent to medical treatment and healthcare
People over the age of 16 with decision making capacity have the right to consent or refuse to consent to their own medical treatment and/or healthcare. The Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act 1995 regulates:
- consent
- medical practitioner’s obligations
- provision of emergency medical treatment
- consent to healthcare for people with impaired decision making capacity
- care of the dying.
More information can be found by reading the following:
- Consent to Health Care and Medical Treatment Policy (PDF 334KB)
- Consent (including where consent cannot be obtained) Guideline (PDF 1581KB)
- Who can Consent? (PDF 161KB)
- Frequently asked questions on consent (PDF 322KB)
- Consent to Medical Treatment and Health Care – Adults - Flowchart (PDF 203KB)
Advance Care Planning
You have the right to express your health care wishes in advance. You can also appoint one or more people you trust (Substitute Decision Makers) to make decisions on your behalf and have these decisions respected including in an emergency in case you can’t make your own decisions in the future. For more info visit the Advance Care Directive website.
When attending an SA Health service
If you’re attending an SA Health service and you have an Advance Care Directive please bring your original or a certified copy (PDF 58KB) with you.
Clinical information
If there is a dispute about your healthcare or the healthcare of someone you know the Consent to medical treatment for health professionals page.
Disputes
If there is a dispute about your healthcare or the healthcare of someone you know the Office of the Public Advocate Dispute Resolution Service can assist.