The Guideline is particularly relevant for situations where the patient may lose decision-making capacity before their wishes have been determined. It is intended to provide useful advice for NSW Health staff about a process for negotiating end of life decisions. It also contains information on specific issues such as children and young people, artificial hydration and nutrition, and Advance Care Directives. The Guideline also recommends minimum standards for documentation of decisions about withholding, or withdrawal of, treatment, and dispute resolution for patients, families and staff.
Dying patients can be any age and are cared for in many settings including emergency departments, intensive care units, hospital wards, palliative care units, paediatric wards, residential aged care facilities, supported disability accommodation and the home. This Guideline provides useful advice for NSW Health staff about the process for navigating complex end of life decisions wherever that care is delivered. NSW Health places a high priority on health practitioners working collaboratively with patients, their families and carers, as well as each other, throughout all phases of end of life care. This guideline sets out a process for reaching end of life decisions, in a way that safeguards both patients and health practitioners, through open and compassionate communication, appropriate treatment decisions and fairness.
The document can be downloaded here (End of Life Care and Decision-Making) or can be viewed below