Advance Care Planning Australia welcomes news of the release of the National framework for advance care planning documents by the Australian Government Department of Health this week.
Key national stakeholders and Advance Care Planning Australia leaders contributed to this robust policy that sets an important mandate to support all Australians to consider and provide direction on their future care, if they choose to do, and increasing the uptake of advance care planning (ACP).
Importantly, the framework:
- promotes a nationally consistent approach to ACP legislation, ACP documentation, and mutual recognition of documents
- provides important definitions and clarification regarding terminology
- recognises the range of advance care planning documents that exist, their legal standing and use
- provides ethical and best practice principles for having ACP conversations, making an ACP document, and accessing and enacting documents
- recognises the importance of both registered and non-registered health professionals in advance care planning and enactment of documentation and directions
- recognises My Health Record as an effective storage solution for ACP documents and to provide accessibility at the point of care.
The framework has been released at a critical time, following the Aged Care Royal Commission and coinciding with a period of significant aged care reform.
“We are delighted to have worked with the Australian Government, the Nous Group, and jurisdictional and sector stakeholders on this milestone document, which provides a common language and understanding of advance care planning,” said Linda Nolte, Program Director of Advance Care Planning Australia.
“With more Australians living longer than ever, advance care planning will continue to become a more critical and embedded part of health and aged care. This document provides a solid foundation to increase ACP quality, understanding and uptake across Australia.”