Better Health Channel
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
  • In a medical emergency, the treating doctor will make decisions about your immediate care.
  • Family members may be involved in making healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to make decisions and it is not a medical emergency.
  • You can appoint a person to be your medical treatment decision maker in the event that you become too unwell to make decisions yourself..   
  • Your doctor can help you make an advance care directive to say what medical treatment you want, in case you are unable to make decisions in the future.
  • Any healthcare or medical decision made for another person should reflect their wishes as much as possible.

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Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Reviewed on: 05-03-2018