New laws to respect wishes for future health care
Source: WA. Health
"Western Australians will be able to make important decisions regarding their future medical treatment and lifestyle choices, under new legislation which takes effect today.
Health Minister Kim Hames said new laws would give any competent adult the right to document their future wishes to consent to or refuse medical treatments.
The Acts Amendment (Consent to Medical Treatment Act) 2008 was passed by both houses of State Parliament in June 2008 following a conscience vote. The new regulations, which enable people to complete an Advance Health Directive and an Enduring Power of Guardianship, come into effect today.
The Minister said people could choose to use either measure or both if they wished."