Advance Care Planning Australia is urging medical and healthcare professionals to include advance care planning in their preparations for COVID-19.
ACPA understands that this is a stressful time for medical and healthcare providers and the general community. Healthcare planning, including sensitive conversations about advance care planning and access to documentation of medical treatment preferences is important.
ACPA recommends medical and healthcare professionals ensure that:
- All consumers have a clearly identified substitute decision-maker.
- Existing advance care directive documents are accessible and transferable between care providers.
- Consumers are encouraged to think about their future health care preferences and discuss preferences with loved ones. If desired, consumers can document their preferences in an advance care directive.
These preparations will support medical and healthcare providers in offering appropriate quality care to consumers.
For more information and advice please call our National Advance Care Planning Support Service on 1300 208 582, Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm (AEST).