Latest news with #myACP
Straits Times
19-07-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Who decides when you can't? A guide on planning for end-of-life care
Find out what's new on ST website and app. A free digital tool for Singaporeans to complete their advance care plans (ACP) online was rolled out on July 19. But what exactly is ACP, and how does it differ from an advance medical directive or lasting power of attorney? Here's what to know about planning for end-of-life care. Advance care planning is a national programme that allows people to document their medical treatment preferences in advance. Advance care plan Advance care planning is a national programme that allows people to document their medical treatment preferences in advance, in line with their goals and values. It also allows them to designate up to two persons to decide on medical care for them in the event that they become mentally incapacitated. While not legally binding, the ACP serves as a guide for loved ones and healthcare teams to act according to their best interests. It includes healthcare preferences such as the extent of treatment and pain control options. Anyone above 21 years old can do an ACP. Those who are generally healthy can complete their ACP online through the new digital tool called myACP . It can be found on the My Legacy@LifeSG platform at / They can also approach public hospitals, polyclinics, or certain social care providers to make such a plan. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore No train service across entire Bukit Panjang LRT line due to power fault Asia Autogate glitch causes chaos at KLIA and Johor checkpoints, foreign passport holders affected Singapore S'pore sees no baby boom in Year of the Dragon despite slight rise in births in 2024 Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore Singapore 'I thought it was an April Fool's joke': Teen addicted to Kpods on news that friend died Singapore New auto pet wash service in Buona Vista draws flak, but company stands by its safety Life Don't call me a motivational speaker: Why Adam Khoo has moved on to options trading Singapore 314 suicides reported in Singapore in 2024, remains leading cause of youth deaths Those with existing illnesses, such as cancer or heart failure, will need to complete their ACP with the help of their healthcare team or a certified facilitator. The Agency for Integrated Care website advises the public to complete an ACP, even if they already have an advance medical directive or lasting power of attorney. Advance medical directive An advance medical directive (AMD) is a legal document that informs doctors that you do not want to use any life-sustaining treatment if you become terminally ill or unconscious. To make an AMD, an individual needs to fill in a form available in clinics, polyclinics and hospitals, or download it from the Ministry of Health website. The AMD must be made through a doctor. Two witnesses have to be present when the person signs the AMD – one must be the doctor, and the other one must be at least 21 years old. Both witnesses will sign the form during the session. The completed form is submitted to the Registrar of Advance Medical Directives in a sealed envelope. Lasting power of attorney A lasting power of attorney (LPA) allows you to appoint one or more trusted persons to make decisions on your personal welfare, property, finances and other matters if you lose mental capacity. Those who make LPAs are known as donors, while the people they appoint are called donees. There are two LPA forms: Form 1 grants general powers to donees, while Form 2 is for donors who want to grant specific or customised powers to donees and has to be drafted by a lawyer. Both forms can be made digitally through the Office of the Public Guardian Online portal. Donees will be notified via SMS or e-mail when a donor submits the LPA form. They can then accept the appointment through the portal. Thereafter, the donor will visit the certificate issuer – who is a medical practitioner accredited by the public guardian, a practising lawyer, or a registered psychiatrist – to digitally sign the LPA using Singpass. The issuer then certifies and submits the LPA on the donor's behalf through the portal. Hard-copy LPA forms are still accepted in exceptional situations, such as when the donor or donee does not have a Singpass account required to access the portal.
Straits Times
19-07-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
New digital tool in Singapore to encourage advance care planning
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Called myACP, the tool allows users to document their preferences for medical treatment in advance, in line with their personal goals and values. SINGAPORE – A free digital tool that makes it easier for Singaporeans to complete their advance care plans (ACP) online was launched on July 19. Called myACP, the tool allows users to document their preferences for medical treatment in advance, in line with their personal goals and values. They can also designate someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become mentally incapacitated. The digital tool was launched by the Ministry of Health, Agency for Integrated Care and GovTech at Heartbeat@Bedok. Speaking at the launch, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that the tool eliminates the need to meet an ACP facilitator in person. Anyone who is generally healthy and is at least 21 years old can document their care preferences and submit it online. Mr Ong said the common reasons for not completing ACPs include a lack of knowledge on the process, and the inconvenience of making an appointment with a facilitator – a time-consuming step that may also involve fees. Previously, individuals had to visit public hospitals, polyclinics, or certain social care providers to make such plans. Now, they also have the option of using the new tool, found on the My Legacy@LifeSG platform at / Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Autogate glitch causes chaos at KLIA and Johor checkpoints, foreign passport holders affected Singapore S'pore sees no baby boom in Year of the Dragon despite slight rise in births in 2024 Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore Singapore 'I thought it was an April Fool's joke': Teen addicted to Kpods on news that friend died Life Don't call me a motivational speaker: Why Adam Khoo has moved on to options trading Sport Lionesses forward Danelle Tan ready for new challenge in Japan Life SG60 F&B icons: Celebrate these 14 home-grown F&B brands that have stood the test of time Asia Indonesian authorities partially close Mount Rinjani after two accidents involving foreign climbers (From left) CPF Board Retirement Income Group director Gregory Chia, Ministry of Social and Family Development Family Life Group senior director Tan Chee Hau, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, Public Service Division ServiceSG CEO Lim Sze Ling and Agency for Integrated Care CEO Tan Chee Wee at the myACP launch on July 19. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI It takes about 30 minutes to complete an ACP. Users will have to indicate their preferences on hygiene, companionship and religious requirements, as well as make a decision on whether doctors should prioritise comfort or carry out life-sustaining treatments, among other matters, Mr Ong said. But those with existing illnesses, such as cancer or heart failure, will still need to complete their ACP with the help of their healthcare team or a certified facilitator. At present, about 77,000 people have completed their ACP, Mr Ong said. 'This is 40 per cent higher than the national figure as of last year, but it's still very small a number,' he added. Mr Ong said the authorities are trying to encourage more Singaporeans to plan ahead. While some people have preferences for end-of-life care, most are reluctant to broach the subject with their loved ones while they are healthy as it is considered pantang, or taboo, according to the minister. 'It will be too late to do so when they have fallen very sick and cannot communicate what they want to their loved ones. Family members, doctors, are then placed in a difficult position to decide on the care approach,' he said, noting that different opinions can escalate into family disputes. 'We need more open and early conversations about future care needs…When we plan ahead, we not only safeguard our own preferences, we also make things easier and clearer for families and healthcare teams later on.' In 2023, the Government launched the National Strategy for Palliative Care to raise awareness about end-of-life issues amid an ageing population. Since then, palliative care capacity has been expanded , rising to 3,000 home care places and 300 inpatient hospice beds currently – from the 2,400 care places and 260 beds in 2023, Mr Ong said. Palliative care competency was also strengthened, with 62 – or about two-thirds of nursing homes in Singapore – establishing partnerships with hospitals. This means that when a nursing home resident is approaching end-of-life, he will remain in the facility instead of being unnecessarily transferred to a hospital. Mr Ong noted that the efforts by the authorities have started to show results. In 2022 and 2023, 62.5 per cent of deaths happened in hospitals. This dropped to 59.8 per cent in 2024. 'While this appears to be a small improvement, it translates into thousands of patients having their wishes fulfilled. Attitudes take time to change, and we are encouraged to be heading in the right direction,' he said. Ms Clara Ng, 56, who completed her ACP online last week, said she decided to do so to be prepared for the future. 'I'm still at the stage where I have the capacity to think. It's good to log down what I want rather than wait till it's too late' said Ms Ng, who is currently completing her masters course in gerontology.
