medical treatment decision maker

You can choose to give a person the power to make decisions for you about your medical treatment. This person is called a ‘medical treatment decision maker’. Your medical treatment decision maker can only make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to make these decisions because of injury or illness.

Your medical treatment decision maker should be someone you trust to respect your values and preferences for your medical treatment.

You can also appoint a ‘support person’ to help you to make, communicate to others and give effect to your medical treatment decisions. Unlike a medical treatment decision maker, a support person does not have the legal power to make decisions for you.

By having these discussions now, while you are well and having someone appointed to make decisions on your behalf will reduce stress. Talking about your preference for treatment will stop the guessing game and hopefully give your decision maker some comfort knowing they could advocate for you when you couldn't and carry out your wishes as you desired. That's why it is so important to not only appoint a medical decision maker but to share with them your advanced care directive. So, they are fully aware of your choices.  

For more information about Medical Treatment Decision Making please go to this link 

https://www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au/your-rights/your-healthcare/appointing-a-medical-treatment-decision-maker

Once you have chosen who will be your medical treatment decision maker, it is just a matter of filling in a form and having it witnessed by a registered medical practitioner, or someone who can witness an affidavit. Please the video below for witnessing requirements