Cas Wong

The Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance Takes Effect on 31 July 2026 — What You Need to Know

With the Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment Ordinance set to officially come into effect later this year, you may want to take some time to understand it properly — for yourself, your partner, or an elderly family member — so you know how to use it to protect your final dignity. We know the legislation can be complicated, and when you’re looking for answers that speak to your specific situation, it’s often hard to know where to start. To make information about Advance Medical Directives more accessible, Alongside’s team of professional AI engineers and doctors have worked together to create Hong Kong’s first “Advance Medical Directive AI Chatbot” — a reliable information resource designed for you, available 24/7.

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.