An Advance Health Directive allows an individual to state their wishes in relation to future health care. It might include instructions about resuscitation, life support, tissue donation, artificial feeding or any particular treatment you would not wish to have. It will only come into effect when the person is unable to make their own decisions, due to loss of mental capacity. At the time of making an Advance Health Directive, a doctor must discuss your instructions with you and complete a certain section of the document.

As stated above, a person can also have an Enduring Power of Attorney make personal and health care decisions for them. However you cannot give an attorney the power to make decisions that involve life-sustaining medical treatment, and this is where the Advance Health Directive applies.