Uploading Advance Care Directive to My Health Record
SETTING UP LEGAL DIRECTIVES & INSTRUCTIONS
You have made a plan for your future health care. That's great! Now, you need to make sure your doctors can see it, especially in an emergency.
A very good way to do this is to upload your Advance Care Directive (ACD) to your My Health Record.
My Health Record is a safe online place from the government for your health information. Putting your plan here means doctors and hospitals all over Australia can see your wishes quickly and easily if they need to.
Why Should I Upload My Plan?
It can be found in an emergency. If you are in a hospital away from home, the doctors there can see your plan.
It's safe and private. You are in control of who sees your information.
It's always there. You don't have to worry about a paper copy getting lost.
What You Need to Start
Before you begin, make sure you have these three things ready:
Your signed Advance Care Directive.
A digital copy of your plan. This means you need to scan it or take a clear photo of every page with your phone or a camera. Save it as one file (like a PDF or JPEG) on your computer or phone.
Your myGov login details. You will need your username and password to get into your My Health Record.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Uploading
Follow these steps to upload your Advance Care Directive.
Step 1: Sign in to myGov
Go to the myGov website.
Sign in with your username and password.
From your myGov home page, click on the My Health Record service.
Step 2: Go to the Advance Care Planning Section
Once you are in your My Health Record, look for a tab or link that says "Advance Care Planning." It is usually in the main menu. Click on it.
Step 3: Upload Your Document
In the Advance Care Planning section, you will see an option that says something like "Upload Advance Care Planning Document." Click on this.
Your computer or phone will ask you to choose the file you want to upload. Find the scanned copy or photo of your Advance Care Directive that you saved earlier and select it.
The file will now be added to your record.
Step 4: Add Important Details
The website will ask you to check a few things. Make sure you confirm that the document you uploaded is your Advance Care Directive.
You can also add notes, like the name and phone number of your Enduring Guardian or the person who has the original copy. This is very helpful for doctors.
You're All Done!
That's it! Your Advance Care Directive is now safely stored in your My Health Record.
What Happens Now?
Doctors and nurses can now see your plan if they are caring for you.
You should still give paper copies to your GP and your family.
Remember to tell your family and your Enduring Guardian that you have uploaded your plan to your My Health Record.
DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE: TALKING GUIDE FOR ADVANCE CARE DIRECTIVE
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice. The information is provided "as is," without any guarantee of its accuracy or completeness.
Any action you take based on the contents of this guide is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage resulting from its use. Please consult a qualified professional to address your individual circumstances.