The Food & Health Bureau is seeking public views on whether the concept of advance directives should be introduced in Hong Kong.

The three-month consultation exercise will also collect views on procedures for making, altering and revoking advance directives; the content of the information package on advance directives for the public; and, the need to promulgate any guidelines for handling advance directives.

The Food & Health Bureau said the purpose of making an advance directive is to allow a mentally competent person to indicate the form of healthcare treatment they would like to receive, including the refusal of treatment which sustains body functions when they are no longer mentally competent.

The concept of advance directives has already been adopted in many countries, such as the UK, the US, Canada and Singapore.

Advance directives allow doctors and family members to recognise the patients' wish with certainty, minimising conflict over the appropriate form of medical treatment. This can help release the burden of both parties in deciding whether life-sustaining treatments should be maintained or withdrawn.

After consulting different sectors and parties in the community the bureau will prepare an information package on advance directives for public use and will hold further discussion on the required guidelines or procedures with the relevant professions.