HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES LEGISLATION PROCLAIMED

Released on September 5, 1997

Justice Minister John Nilson today announced that The Health Care

Directives and Substitute Health Care Decision Makers Act came into

force on September 1, 1997.



A health care directive, sometimes referred to as a living will, is a

document in which an individual gives directions about medical

treatment to treatment providers. It becomes effective when that

person loses the capacity to make health care decisions. In a

directive, a person may provide or refuse consent to medical treatment

and may also appoint another person to make health care decisions on

his or her behalf.



"Many citizens in our province have asked us to introduce legislation

in this area," Nilson said. "They want to be able to give directions

regarding their future health care. Many Saskatchewan residents

already have health care directives. This legislation ensures the

legitimacy of these directives and provides a framework for their use.

Persons who follow the instructions in directives will not incur

liability so long as they have acted in good faith."



"I am pleased to say that this legislation has benefited from an

extensive consultation process and that a broad degree of

consensus was achieved among the diverse groups affected by it,

including health care providers, representatives of religious

organizations, seniors and persons with disabilities," Nilson

said.



This legislation allows persons over the age of 16 to make health

care directives. It permits people to exercise some control over

their future medical care and reinforces the importance of

personal autonomy in this area.



The Act also contains a list of persons who may make health care

decisions on behalf of incapacitated persons who have not made

directives.





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For more information contact:





Andrea Seale Madeleine Robertson

Crown Counsel Crown Counsel

Legislative Services Legislative Services

Saskatchewan Justice Saskatchewan Justice

Regina Regina

Phone: (306)787-8391 Phone: (306)787-8968