What is a Medical Power of Attorney?
A Medical Power of Attorney is the legal way to protect yourself if you become incapacitated. It allows you to appoint people you trust to make medical, personal and lifestyle decisions on your behalf, in case you are ever unable to make these types of decisions for yourself.
In Victoria, your medical Attorney is appointed in a document called an Appointment of Medical Treatment Decision Makers, and your nominated decision makers can only make decisions in relation to medical treatment. In other states and territories, the relevant document is called an Enduring Power of Guardianship. For states and territories that use an Enduring Power of Guardianship, this document authorises your Attorney(s) to make decisions in relation to your personal affairs, as well as medical.