The people of the Northern Territory have an opportunity to shape important laws on health care for their loved ones with the release of a discussion paper today.
The Health Care Decision Maker discussion paper outlines proposed legal reforms to improve health care decision making when patients do not have the capacity to make decisions themselves.
NT Public Guardian Beth Walker said the discussion paper offers the public and organisations an opportunity to improve outcomes for patients.
‘This is a very important issue for all Territorians because it impacts on the well-being of our loved ones when they are at their most vulnerable’, Mrs Walker said.
‘I want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to understand the issues and to provide feedback including the general public, health care professionals and organisations representing Aboriginal people and our diverse ethnic population.
‘With the festive season and school holidays beginning soon, families and friends will be gathering and I hope Territorians can use the opportunity to discuss this issue so if needed they can potentially be involved in the decision making for the health care treatment of a loved one’.
The discussion paper outlines the legal situation and proposes ways to improve the way patients receive treatment in urgent situations when they need others to make health care decisions for them.
Proposed changes include allowing family members and other people close to a patient to make health care decisions.
Another topic for feedback is when a health care decision maker cannot be contacted, should the health care provider be able to make appropriate decisions without having to wait for the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal to make a decision.
There will be public information sessions from late October to early December in Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Katherine, Nhulunbuy, Darwin and Palmerston.
The discussion paper is available on the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice’s website and the NT Have Your Say website.
Submission close 31 January 2020.
Media contact: Christine Bond M: 0447 767 101, P: 8985 8601