Provincial Government Marks National Advance
Care Planning Day in Newfoundland and Labrador
The Provincial Government is recognizing today, April 16, as National Advance
Care Planning Day, an opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of
identifying health and personal care preferences in the event a person becomes
incapable of consenting to or refusing treatment or other care.
“Advance care planning requires thoughtful inner reflection about our own
individual values and clear communication of our wishes with those who are close
to us and within our support networks. Some of us may never need an advance care
plan, but if we ever do, we will be glad it’s there and that we’ve had these
conversations. Advance care planning ensures our voice is heard when we cannot
speak for ourselves.” – The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services
An advance care plan may include an individual’s preferences about procedures
such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and mechanical ventilation.
To create an advance health care directive, residents are encouraged to first
designate a substitute decision maker. The substitute decision maker is someone
who will speak on an individual’s behalf and make decisions if that person is
unable to do so for themselves.
The next step is to prepare and sign an advance health care directive. Once
complete, a copy should be provided to the substitute decision maker(s), family
doctor and close family members. In the event an individual is admitted to
hospital or other health care facility, the statement should become part of that
person’s medical record.
For more information and a template for creating an advance health care
directive, residents are encouraged to visit /media/52141/ahcd_booklet.pdf.
QUICK FACTS
-
The Provincial Government is recognizing today, April 16, as National
Advance Care Planning Day, an opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of
advance care planning. - Advance care planning ensures support networks are aware of a person’s
health and personal care preferences in the event the individual becomes
incapable of consenting to or refusing treatment or other care. - For more information and a template for creating an advance health care
directive, visit /media/52141/ahcd_booklet.pdf. - Newfoundland and Labrador’s Advance Health Care Directives Act can be
viewed at www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/a04-1.htm.