National Advance Care Planning Week

March 11, 2026

National Advance Care Planning Week is 16 March – 22 March. Advance Care Planning (ACP) is the process of planning for the care someone would (or would not) like to receive in the event of serious illness, when they are unable to communicate their preferences, or at the end of their life. 

Advance Care Planning helps ensure that: 

  • A person continues to have a say in their care, even when they lose physical or mental capacity 
  • People are comforted knowing they are more likely to receive treatment they want, and not receive treatment they don't want   
  • Carers and family can make decisions knowing their loved one's choices 

People often need help to develop an Advance Care Plan that will guide their medical treatment and care. 

GPs develop ongoing relationships with their patients and are well positioned to initiate Advance Care Planning. Several items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule can support ACP as part of other health interventions. More information on these can be found here. 

SEMPHN has a range of resources available for Advance Care Planning. 

Additionally, Advanced Care Planning Australia (ACPA) drives awareness and best practice through community engagement, workforce education, research, and system-level advocacy. With deep insight into the challenges faced by both healthcare professionals and the broader community, ACPA delivers timely, practical resources to dispel misconceptions and support confident, informed decision-making. Visit the ACPA website to find out more. 

Latest news

New My Health Record Security and Access Policy template now available

September 23, 2026
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), in partnership with the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA), has released an updated My Health Record Security and Access template to help healthcare provider organisations meet their obligations under the revised My Health Record Rules 2026.

Supporting the resilience and wellbeing of the Victorian Jewish community

September 22, 2026
South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN) is pleased to announce the successful recipients of funding via the Victorian Jewish Community Wellbeing Grant round. Congratulations to the following organisations:

Introducing the Clinical and Referral Guidance Hub

September 21, 2026
South Eastern Melbourne PHN has launched the Clinical and Referral Guidance Hub (the Hub), a new platform providing primary care professionals in south east Melbourne with centralised access to local referral information and clinical guidance.