Advance Statements

This information has been designed by LPFT Carers Council to assist carers and relatives to understand advance statements.

What is an advance statement?

An advance statement sets out a person's treatment preferences and may include information about:

  • Treatment a person finds effective
  • Treatment that has been less effective in the past
  • The person's views and preferences about electroconvulsive treatment and restrictive interventions

Non-treatment related preferences can also be provided with the advance statement and can be discussed with the person, their nominated person, carer and other support people. However, there is no legal obligation for the authorised psychiatrist to follow these preferences.

An advance statement does not expire unless a new advance statement is made or the person revokes their advance statement.

It is recommended that a person considers whether the preferences expressed in their advance statement remain current. An advance statement cannot be amended. If a person’s treatment preferences have changed, they must make a new advance statement. If a person prepares a new advance statement, they should make relevant people, including their treating team aware of the new advance statement.

How is it used?

An authorised psychiatrist must have regard to a person’s advance statement whenever they make treatment decisions.

An advance statement will help the authorised psychiatrist make decisions that better align with a patient’s treatment preferences.