Ireland - Advanced Healthcare Directives

12 key things you NEED to know according to the Irish Hospice Foundation

1. Advance Healthcare Directives are recognised in common law but until now there was no legislative framework
2. Under the new provisions, a person aged 18 and over who has capacity can prepare an Advance Healthcare Directive
3. They must put their decisions on future medical treatment in writing and their Advance Healthcare Directive must be witnessed
4. A person will be able to revoke an Advance Healthcare Directive at any time – verbally or in writing
5. No-one will be under any obligation to create an Advance Healthcare Directive – people are free to make them but are not required to do so
6. Having witnesses to the Advance Healthcare Directive is geared to prevent people being forced to make certain decisions
7. You can nominate people who will be legally recognised as acting on your behalf at a time when you lose capacity and can ensure your Advance Healthcare Directive is enforced
8. An Advance healthcare Directive only comes into force when you have lost capacity and cannot make a decision
9. Having an Advance Healthcare Directive helps healthcare professionals in caring for you the way you want
10. Having an Advance Healthcare Directive helps families as it removes doubt about what care their loved one wanted
11. If there is any serious doubt about an Advance Healthcare Directive, a person can go to the courts
12. This is not euthanasia or assisted suicide. These acts are and continue to be illegal in Ireland. An Advance Healthcare Directive is a method of obtaining consent for treatment in advance.