National Advance Care Planning Week 2021

“Thinking about a time when you can no longer speak for yourself can be very confronting but that’s why it’s important to start having these challenging conversations now,” said AMA Vice President, Dr Chris Moy, who is also an ambassador for Advance Care Planning Australia (ACPA). 

“Most of us expect to have a say in our medical treatment, however a sudden event, or gradual health decline can leave people without a voice or a choice, if no plan is in place.  

Dr Moy emphasised that about a third of us will end up unable to make our own end-of-life medical decisions but less than 15% of Australians have an advance care directive. This means millions of Australians are unaware they have given up their ability to control their own destiny should they lose decision-making capacity.   

The AMA agrees with ACPA that advance care planning also improves ongoing end-of-life care and provides personal and family satisfaction resulting in less anxiety, depression, and stress for families.  

Dr Moy said having a conversation with your GP can be a good place to start.   

“Your GP, in particular, can assist with advance care planning by discussing your current and possible future health situations, helping to clearly articulate preferences and regularly reviewing your advance care plan with you.  

“If you already have an advance care plan, fantastic - use National Advance Care Planning Week to revisit and update it and don’t forget to tell your GP and substitute decision-makers of any changes you make and where to find it too,” said Dr Moy.   

The ACPA website guides people through the process of advance care planning and provides a range of resources, in a variety of languages. This year it has a specific section on how COVID-19 affects advance care planning.   

The AMA’s Position Statement on End of Life Care and Advance Care Planning 2014 can be found here.