Guide to advance health directives
Part of the Powers of Attorney and guardianship topic
Understand how an advance health directive can help you prepare for future health care decisions.
On this page
In short
An advance health directive is a legal document that allows you to plan for your future health care.
It makes sure your wishes are respected when illness or injury mean you can’t make the decisions. This could happen due to an accident, dementia, a stroke or a mental illness.
A directive is only used if you lose capacity to make decisions.
What you should know
An advance health directive:
- outlines your wishes for future health care
- allows you to appoint someone you trust (an attorney) to make health care decisions on your behalf.
- guides health professionals about the treatment you want
The directive is used when you can’t make decisions about your care. You might need it for a short time or a long time.
Any time you have capacity, you can:
Why you might need an advance health directive
It makes sure your health care wishes are respected when you can’t communicate them. This may give you and your loved ones peace of mind by:
- making your wishes clear for medical treatment
- making sure decisions match your values and beliefs.
- reducing uncertainty for your family and health care providers
It is particularly important to consider making an advance health directive if you:
- are about to be admitted to hospital
- have a chronic condition that may lead to serious complications.
- have a medical condition that could affect your ability to make decisions
If you don't have an advance health directive
Without a directive, a statutory health attorney may make decisions on your behalf.
This means the first available person who is 18 or older and suitable to make decisions for you, in this order:
- your spouse (including a de facto or civil partner) who has a close and ongoing relationship with you
- a close friend or relative who has a close relationship with you (who is not a paid carer or health provider).
- your carer (who is not a paid carer or health provider)
The Public Guardian will act as your statutory health attorney if no one else is appropriate.
A statutory health attorney can make most health care decisions. However, there are certain health matters they can’t consent to, such as tissue donation or sterilisation. Only the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal can consent to these matters.