Effective from April 2021
Approved by: Chief Executive Officer
At a Glance
As a provider of quality care and services we want to ensure we respond quickly to any emergency involving a Five Good Friends Member.
Scope
All Five Good Friends workers (employees, Helpers, contractors).
Objective
To be responsive and effective in the event of an emergency to protect the health and wellbeing of a Member.
Definitions
- Member Emergency - any time in the course of providing support, help or care services to a Member, either:
- it becomes evident that there is a significant risk or threat to the health or wellbeing of the Member, or
- the Member suffers from a life-threatening illness or major injury which without urgent medical treatment could have significant adverse effects on their health or wellbeing.
- Advance Care Directive – also known as an Advance Health Directive. An Advance Care Directive is an instruction that a person with capacity makes about future health care decisions. It can be used to make specific decisions about future treatment, express general wishes and personal values (e.g. spiritual, religious or cultural beliefs relevant to the person’s care) and in most states and territories, appoint a substitute decision-maker to make future health care decisions if the person loses capacity.
- End of life – the last days and months of life
Policy Statement
- The health, safety and wellbeing of our Members is of the utmost importance to Five Good Friends.
- The preferences of Members must also be taken into account, particularly when they are at the end of life and have an Advance Care Directive in place.
- All workers will familiarise themselves and regularly refresh their knowledge of the Member’s Help Plan which, in the Advance Care Planning section, outlines their preferences for emergency treatment and their instructions under their Advance Care Directive if there is one in place.
Procedure