An Advance Care Planning Program.
The Respecting Patient Choices (RPC) Program is a highly respected model of Advance Care Planning (ACP) funded by the Department of Health to help individuals plan ahead for future medical care. The RPC Program began at Austin Health in 2002 and was established at Peninsula Health in 2009.
A key aim of the program is to clarify a patient’s wishes for end-of-life care including life prolonging treatments. An RPC trained clinician can assist you to maintain a sense of control over your future and plan for a time when you may not be able to make decisions about your medical care by:
• Identifying what is important to for you to ‘live well’ based on your values, beliefs, preferences, health and life goals.
• Understanding your current health condition/s, prognosis, treatment options and choices.
• Considering the benefits and drawbacks of medical treatments that may be offered in the foreseeable future.
• Choosing and preparing an agent (Medical Enduring Power of Attorney) to have the legal authority to communicate preferences on your behalf if you become unable to participate in medical treatment decisions.
• Documenting these decisions in an Advance Care Plan
• Reviewing the plan at subsequent admissions
Contact details:
Peninsula Health RPC Office
The Gallery, Mt Eliza Centre
33 Jacksons Rd
PO Box 192
Mt Eliza, Victoria, 3930
Ph: (03) 9788 1593
Fax: (03) 9788 1591
rpc@phcn.vic.gov.au
For more information download the following resources or visit the links to read and download useful forms and fact sheets
Resources:
RPC Information Booklet (pdf 756kb)
RPC ACP Guide (pdf 879kb)
Respecting Patient Choices Brochure – Peninsula Health (pdf 304kb)
OPA Take Control Booklet (pdf 908kb)
Links:
Office of the Public Advocate – Forms and Factsheets
Respecting Patient Choices – Austin Health (National RPC website)
Victorian Department of Health (Medical Treatment Act)
