生命足跡：表達藝術治療及預設醫療指示工作坊，為配合預設醫療指示（AMD）的立法及推廣，同行 Alongside 推出一連串公眾教育活動，透過講座、工作坊及峰會等多元形式，讓不同背景的大眾了解新法例的內容及其對醫療自主的深遠意義，推動每個人都能以尊嚴地走完人生最後一段路。
I want to sign an Advance Medical Directive, but my son says he won't allow it. Will the doctor listen to me or him?
Alongside
Last Updated：2026/05/12
If there is a disagreement on end-of-life decisions between family and patient on an Advance Medical Directive, who has the final say?
The doctor will strictly follow your decision. Under the statutory protection of the legislation, a valid Advance Medical Directive (AMD) made by a mentally capable person must be respected. Family members, including your son, absolutely cannot override or overrule your legally binding decision to refuse life-sustaining treatment.
It’s completely natural to worry about family disagreements when discussing end-of-life planning. Many parents encounter strong resistance from their children, whose objections usually stem from love and the fear of letting go. However, you must understand the cold medical and legal reality. If you lose your mental capacity to make decisions without an AMD in place, the healthcare team will have to make decisions based on your “best interests” while consulting your family. When family members are divided, it can agonizingly prolong your suffering and inflict a massive emotional burden on the very people you love most:
“The doctor asked if we should intubate my father and perform CPR. My brother insisted on doing everything to save him, but I knew Dad had clearly stated he didn’t want to suffer at the end. We argued terribly in the hallway outside the ICU. In that moment, our family was tearing apart.”
- — A real-life account shared by a family member with Alongside
This is a tragically common reality. Without clear legal instructions, families are left drowning in agonizing guesswork. By making an AMD that carries statutory backing, you maintain your lifelong autonomy and directly rescue your children from the haunting guilt of making life-and-death choices on your behalf.
Debunking the Myth: Can Family Override Your Decision?
With the formal enactment of the Advance Medical Directives Ordinance, AMDs now possess undeniable statutory status in Hong Kong:
Your Decision is Final
A valid and applicable AMD made by a mentally capable person has to be respected and cannot be overruled by others including family members, significant others and appointed guardians.
Mandatory Compliance
The family members should understand that they cannot override the AMD of the patient. Healthcare providers are legally bound to follow your instructions.
Autonomy Overrides Relatives
The Code of Professional Conduct stipulates that in cases of disagreement, the patient's right to self-determination overrides the wishes of their relatives.
Exclusive Revocation Rights
An AMD cannot be revoked by other persons, including the maker's family members. Only you can revoke it while you are still mentally capable.
How to Draft a Valid Advance Medical Directive
Verify Eligibility
You must be an adult aged 18 or above and mentally capable of deciding on life-sustaining treatment.
Secure Witnesses
The directive must be signed in the presence of at least two witnesses, one of whom must be a registered medical practitioner.
Medical Explanation
The doctor must explain the nature of the AMD to you, ensure you understand the implications, and confirm your mental capacity.
Avoid Conflicts of Interest
The witnesses must not be "interested persons"—meaning they cannot be beneficiaries of your will or insurance policies.
Take the first step towards lifelong autonomy with AMD.
Alongside provides objective, legally binding, and autonomy-protecting services to help you navigate this process. Our registered doctors conduct comprehensive consultations to explain the AMD contents, verify your mental capacity, and provide the necessary witness signatures.
Our professional consultation and witness service is priced at HKD2,000. Alongside is funded by the SIE Fund to provide free Advance Medical Directive services for eligible individuals.