Terminal ill can give up treatment starting in late July

Patients in terminal conditions will soon be given the option to reject life-sustaining treatment upon their conditions worsening under the advance medical directive.

The relevant ordinance is set to come into effect on the 31st of this month.

Speaking with the press today, the Hospital Authority shared details of the latest advance medical directive (AMD) pertaining to mentally capable adult patients with terminal conditions.

The document only takes effect once filled out by the patient and when it receives a doctor's signature.

Under the measure, eligible patients who are suffering from terminal conditions such as late-stage cancer can refuse resuscitation efforts and other life-sustaining treatments.

The ordinance does not apply to patients not yet of age.

But a do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation order could be issued under the agreement of two doctors and another individual such as a family member or guardian.

The order would then be placed inside this yellow bag.

When asked whether healthy individuals could make AMD instructions, the HA's Clinical Ethics Committee had this to say.

Making an AMD for healthy individuals does pose a challenge, but the ordinance did not prevent healthy individuals from making an AMD.

If you are quoting experiences from overseas, different countries or different places, they have various different prerequisites for making an AMD.

For example, in places like the U.S.

The individual does not have to attend a doctor before making it.

They can sign, but in our ordinance, in order to protect our patients, we need the doctor to adequately inform the patient of the implications and the treatment options.

Addressing concerns surrounding assisted dying, Dr. Doris Tse stressed the advance decision on life-sustaining treatment ordinance is not a step towards the city adopting euthanasia.

The Hospital Authority Clinical Ethics Committee added the key to ensuring the smooth implementation of the measure is for further training among HA personnel.