South Australian Consolidated Acts

CONSENT TO MEDICAL TREATMENT AND PALLIATIVE CARE ACT 1995 - SECT 3

3—Objects

The objects of this Act are—

            (a)         to make certain reforms to the law relating to consent to medical treatment—

                  (i)         to allow persons of or over the age of 16 years to decide freely for themselves on an informed basis whether or not to undergo medical treatment; and

                  (ii)         to allow persons of or over the age of 18 years to make anticipatory decisions about medical treatment; and

                  (iii)         to provide for the administration of emergency medical treatment in certain circumstances without consent; and

            (b)         to provide for medical powers of attorney under which those who desire to do so may appoint agents to make decisions about their medical treatment when they are unable to make such decisions for themselves; and

            (c)         to allow for the provision of palliative care, in accordance with proper standards, to people who are dying and to protect them from medical treatment that is intrusive, burdensome and futile.