About ACP

2025/05/08

Why should I do an ACP?

Encourage early and meaningful healthcare conversations.
Ensure your wishes are respected.
Reduces family burden.
Improves quality of care.
Provides peace of mind.
Helps with better resource planning.

Who can be my Nominated Healthcare Spokesperson (NHS)?

Someone whom you can trust to communicate your medical preferences.

Who can do an ACP?

Everyone, particularly individuals with early diagnosis of medical conditions, chronic illnesses and potentially life-limiting illnesses.

How to prepare for ACP?

1. Reflections on your values and beliefs

Some questions to reflect on involve:
- What is living well? (e.g. Life values, relationships, hobbies)
- What are my fears and worries if I become seriously ill?

2. Choosing your NHS

Must be 21 years old and above.
Someone who is willing to be your NHS.
Someone who is aware of your medical wishes.
Able to make decisions that honour your preferences under stressful situations.

3. Documenting your ACP

Upon reflection of your ACP, make an appointment with NUH ACP facilitator via doctors' referral to document your ACP.

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FAQs

What is the difference between ACP, Advance Medical Directive (AMD), and Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?

ACP is not a legal document. It is an on-going communication process to help one make informed decisions regarding future healthcare wishes.

An AMD is a legal document stating that one does not wish to receive extraordinary life-sustaining treatment in the event one is deemed terminally ill, unconscious and death is imminent. One can make an AMD and also undergo the ACP process.

An LPA is a legal document that allows someone ('doner') to appoint one or more individuals ('donees') to make decisions and act on the doner's behalf if the doner loses mental capacity. The powers granted via an LPA covers two broad areas: personal welfare matters (which includes healthcare decisions) as well as property and affairs matters.

To find out more about an AMD, click here.

To find out more about an LPA, click here.

Is the ACP form legally binding?

The ACP form is not a legal document. It serves as a guide for healthcare professionals and loved ones in the event when one is no longer able to communicate their wishes.

What is the fee for an ACP discussion at NUH?

It is currently free of charge for NUH patients and staff.

Who should be present during the ACP discussion?

A discussion is usually held with the patient, their loved ones, and an ACP facilitator. If the patient has been diagnosed to have no mental capacity, ACP can be conducted with their loved ones.