Life-sustaining measure in an acute emergency
63A Life-sustaining measure in an acute emergency
A life-sustaining measure may be withheld or withdrawn for an adult without consent if the adult’s health provider reasonably considers—
the adult has impaired capacity for the health matter concerned; and
the commencement or continuation of the measure for the adult would be inconsistent with good medical practice; and
consistent with good medical practice, the decision to withhold or withdraw the measure must be taken immediately.
However, the measure may not be withheld or withdrawn without consent if the health provider knows the adult objects to the withholding or withdrawal.
Editor’s note—Object is defined in schedule 4 (Dictionary).
The health provider must certify in the adult’s clinical records as to the various things enabling the measure to be withheld or withdrawn because of this section.
For this section, artificial nutrition and hydration is not a life-sustaining measure.
This Act’s bill:Explanatory memorandum
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