The VE Bulletin Excerpts
'No price is too high to pay for
the privilege of owning yourself' Rudyard Kipling
Vol 18: No 1 March 2001
November 2000 general meeting
Vice-president Frances Coombe welcomed invited guests and members to
the general meeting held Sunday 12 Nov 2000. The audience heard an informative
discussion by Ms Lisa Huber, Policy Officer Executive Services, Department
of Human Services, entitled 'Legal Options for End of Life Decisions'.
The Department has provided valuable assistance for updating the SAVES
kit 'Making an Advance Directive for Health Care in South Australia (Under
the Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act
1995)
Ms Huber discussed the rights and responsibilities associated with end
of life decisions as well as the Enduring Power of Guardianship and Enduring
Power of Attorney.
The Enduring Power of Guardianship is a legal document allowing appointment
of a guardian to make decisions on behalf of a person who no longer has
capacity. Such decisions relate to meeting personal needs and interests.
Guardianship laws allow immediate family members, primary carers and
Enduring Guardians to give, or refuse, consent to treatment. However current
laws on consent now provide another option for determining future medical
treatment, through an Anticipatory Direction and a Medical Power of Attorney.
The Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal document, which allows for
the appointment of a Financial Attorney to make decisions concerning property
and finances, for those people who no longer have capacity.
Ms Huber answered many questions from the floor, providing much needed
information on diverse arrangements for management of future personal,
medical and financial needs.
For further information contact:
Department of Human Services, 08 226 7011 (concerning
the Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act 1995)
Office of the Public Advocate, 8269 7575 (Enduring Guardianship
and/or consent to medical and dental treatment and general information
and advice)
Guardianship Board 8368 5600 (for application forms and
information about hearings)
Julia Anaf
13 March 2001
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