Hongkongers will be able to upload orders specifying which life-sustaining treatments they do not wish to receive when terminally ill to the city’s electronic health record platform from next Friday, when the new law comes into effect.

The move marks a significant step in formalising end-of-life care arrangements, more than 20 months after the Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance was passed by lawmakers.

“This legislation is a milestone for Hong Kong’s end-of-life care,” said Dr Doris Tse Man-wah, chairwoman of the Hospital Authority’s clinical ethics committee, in a press briefing on Wednesday.

While advance medical directives and do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) orders – the two instruments key for end-of-life decisions – have been in place in public hospitals based on common law since 2010, Tse said the new ordinance provided clearer legal protection for both patients and healthcare professionals.

“The legislation could help rule out all uncertainties, and protect people who draft [the directives] as well as [frontline] rescue personnel,” Tse said.

From July 31, patients who have drafted advance medical directives can have the images of the documents uploaded to the eHealth platform. The upload must be done by a registered doctor.

The Hospital Authority offers yellow bags to patients to store documents related to advance care planning. Photo: Elizabeth Cheung