An Advanced Health Care Directive can only be made by you as an adult, whilst you have decision making capacity. If it is valid, it must be followed. Health professionals and family members have no authority to override a valid Advanced Health Care Directive.
An Advanced Health Care Directive may include one or more of the following:
An Advanced Health Care Directive reflects the decisions you want taken in circumstances where you are unable to make a lifestyle or medical decisions due to an illness or an unforeseen accident.
Some examples including:
It is important to note that your Advanced Health Care Directive will only be followed if you became incapable of making your own health and welfare decisions.
You can change your Advanced Health Care Directive as often as you like, as long as you have capacity.