5Principles

5 Principles (1) A person exercising a power or performing a function or duty under this Act must have regard to the following principles— (a) every human life has equal value; (b) a person's autonomy should be respected; (c) a person has the right to be supported in making informed decisions about the person's medical treatment, and should be given, in a manner the person understands, information about medical treatment options including comfort and palliative care; (d) every person approaching the end of life should be provided with quality care to minimise the person's suffering and maximise the person's quality of life; (e) a therapeutic relationship between a person and the person's health practitioner should, wherever possible, be supported and maintained; (f) individuals should be encouraged to openly discuss death and dying and an individual's preferences and values should be encouraged and promoted; (g) individuals should be supported in conversations with the individual's health practitioners, family and carers and community about treatment and care preferences; (h) individuals are entitled to genuine choices regarding their treatment and care; (i) there is a need to protect individuals who may be subject to abuse; (j) all persons, including health practitioners, have the right to be shown respect for their culture, beliefs, values and personal characteristics. (2) In subsection (1), the reference to a person exercising a power or performing a function or duty under this Act includes VCAT.