PD2021_029 Death - Verification of Death and Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

This new policy directive outlines the processes for the assessment and documentation to verify death (previously referred to as extinction of life), and the medical certification of death of patients within the NSW Health System. It describes the roles of medical practitioners, registered nurses / registered midwives and qualified paramedics employed by NSW Health in relation to assessment and documentation when patients die within the NSW Health system.
 
This policy directive and the forms (Verification of Death and Death Certification Arrangements for Expected Home Death) contained within it are for the use of NSW Health staff. NSW Health staff may order the forms through their usual local process.
 
Two eLearning modules are available to NSW Health staff via HETI Online to assist with implementation of the policy directive:
  • Verification of Death
  • Managing Death and Death Certification.

PD2014_030 Using Resuscitation Plans in End of Life Decisions

This Policy Directive replaced GL2008_018 Decisions relating to No Cardiopulmonary (CPR) Orders. It describes the standards and principles relating to appropriate use of adult and paediatric Resuscitation Plans by NSW Public Health Organisations. A Resuscitation Plan is a medically authorised order to use or withhold resuscitation measures which also documents other aspects of treatment relevant at end of life.
 
This policy directive and the forms contained within it are for the use of NSW Health staff. NSW Health staff may order the forms through their usual local process.
 
To assist NSW Public Health Organisations in communicating with staff, the NSW Ministry of Health has developed a PowerPoint presentation which details the scope of the policy directive, showcase the statewide Resuscitation Plan forms and provides a summary of key issues. Organisations are invited to use this PowerPoint presentation as a template if they wish.which details the scope of the policy directive, showcase the statewide Resuscitation Plan forms and provides a summary of key issues. Organisations are invited to use this PowerPoint presentation as a template if they wish.
 
The NSW Paediatric Palliative Care Services has developed a PowerPoint presentation to assist NSW Public Health Organisations with information about the NSW Resuscitation Plan - Paediatric.  
 

Consent to Medical and Healthcare Treatment Manual

The Consent Manual provides operational guidance and procedures to support compliance with the NSW law on obtaining consent to medical and healthcare treatment from patients or their substitute consent providers.
 

​GL2021_004 End of Life Care and Decision-Making - Guidelines

This guideline provides useful advice for NSW Health staff about the process for navigating complex end of life decisions wherever that care is delivered. This guideline sets out a process for reaching end of life decisions, in a way that safeguards both patients and health practitioners, through open and compassionate communication, appropriate treatment decisions and fairness.​​
Current as at: Wednesday 21 July 2021
Contact page owner: Health and Social Policy