Advance care planning documents are now simpler and more accessible for all Western Australians thanks to the release of the revised Advance Health Directive (AHD) and associated new advance care planning resources. The resources aim to empower people to make and document choices about their future health and personal care that reflect their values, beliefs and preferences.
In line with recommendations from the Joint Select Committee on End of Life Choices 2018 and Sustainable Health Review, the revision of the AHD has been a priority action for the WA Department of Health End-of-Life Care Program (EOLCP). The EOLCP undertook broad sector consultation on the development of the new AHD and resources before they were launched by the Minister for Health, the Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson, on 4 August at an event attended by over 300 online and in-person attendees.
The revised AHD enables individuals to include their values and preferences, in addition to treatment decisions, combines tick box and free text questions and includes consent to medical research. The Guide to Making an Advance Health Directive in WA includes an example of a completed AHD and relatable vignettes.
The range of resources includes guides, brochures, webpages and informational videos (see Quick Reference – Resources).
- Consumers will benefit from Your Guide to Advance Care Planning in WA: A workbook to help gather their thoughts, get started and guide them through the 4 elements of advance care planning: Think, Talk, Write, Share.
- Health professionals (health.wa.gov.au/ACP) can better understand their roles and responsibilities in supporting people through the process of advance care planning by the Health Professional Guide to Advance Care Planning in WA.
- The EOLCP is supporting stakeholder organisations to deliver education sessions for relevant professions (including health and legal) and partnering with Palliative Care WA to reach the community. Organisations planning their own sessions are able to use the template education slide package.
For further information, to organise an education session or to order resources, contact the WA Department of Health Advance Care Planning Information line on 9222 2300 or email acp@health.wa.gov.au or visit www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/AdvanceCarePlanning.
You may also want to visit ACPA's Create your plan in Western Australia page and Advance care planning laws in Western Australia page.