Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance to come into effect on July 31
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The Ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council (LegCo) on November 20, 2024, and was gazetted in the same month. It seeks to provide a legal framework for advance medical directives (AMDs) and do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) orders, as well as legal protection for medical professionals and rescuers when complying with AMDs and DNACPR orders, thereby respecting the wishes of terminally ill patients regarding their end-of-life treatment and care arrangements.
Section 1(2) of the Ordinance provides that the Ordinance shall come into operation on a day to be appointed by the Secretary for Health by notice published in the Gazette. In this regard, the Secretary for Health has made the Commencement Notice to appoint July 31, 2026, as the date on which the main provisions of the Ordinance and the relevant legislative amendments come into operation.
The implementation of the Ordinance further protects the autonomous choices of terminally ill patients regarding their treatment and care arrangements, marking a new milestone in Hong Kong's end-of-life care services. The Government will continue to step up training for relevant professionals on the Ordinance in collaboration with stakeholders, with a view to ensuring that they can comply with the relevant statutory requirements after the Ordinance comes into operation. Relevant government departments will also join with social service organisations to continuously deepen public awareness of the Ordinance through public education and promotional activities.
The Government will table the Commencement Notice at the LegCo next Wednesday (May 27) for negative vetting.
For information on the Ordinance and relevant forms, please visit the webpage: www.healthbureau.gov.hk/en/press_and_publications/otherinfo/241100_adlto/index.html.
Ends/Friday, May 22, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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