End of life care

If you are living with a life limiting illness it is important for you to understand your options for treatment and care and make your wishes and preferences clear.

The information below can help you with your decision making around choices for your care at the end of life, and to assist in conversations with your family, friends, carers and your health care team.

Your wishes for future treatment and care

The Advance Care Directives Act 2013 (SA) and the Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act 1995 (SA) pave the way for a rights-based, person-centred approach to health care.

Information about your health care rights, and documents which help you to record your values, wishes and preferences for treatment and care, are available on the following webpages:

• Your rights and responsibilities
• Advance Care Directive
• Planning Ahead
• Consent to medical treatment and health care
• Resuscitation Plan - 7 Step Pathway

Palliative care services

If your needs cannot be met by your general practitioner or primary care team, you may require advice and support from a specialist palliative care team. Information on how to access specialist palliative care support is available on the Palliative care services webpage.

End of Life Care Strategy

The End of Life Care Strategy describes a program of work that SA Health is undertaking to improve the quality of end of life care services for South Australians. The Strategy brings together a range of new and existing services to create innovative and comprehensive care options which are more closely aligned with the needs and preferences of consumers, and their carers and families.