Advance Medical Directive (AMD)
New advances in medical knowledge and technology create new choices for both patients and healthcare providers. Some of these choices raise new ethical and legal issues.
One issue is that modern medical technology can technically prolong life in the final stages of a terminal illness. However, it cannot stop the dying process. In such situations, further medical intervention would be medically ineffective, and a decision has to be made whether to withdraw such futile medical intervention. Some terminally ill persons who are unable to express their wishes at that time, may want to be spared further suffering and be allowed to die naturally, in peace and with dignity.
Anyone who is 21 years old and above, and who is not mentally disordered can make an AMD.
What is an AMD?
An Advance Medical Directive (AMD) is a legal document that you sign in advance to inform the doctor treating you (in the event you become terminally ill and unconscious) that you do not want any extraordinary life-sustaining treatment to be used to prolong your life.
Making an AMD is a voluntary decision. It is entirely up to you whether you wish to make one. In fact, it is a criminal offence for any person to force you to make one against your will.
How do I make an AMD?
Anyone who is aged 21 years old and above, and is not mentally disordered can make an AMD. Simply follow these steps:
Frequently Asked Questions
Expand All | Collapse All
How much does it cost to make an AMD?
To make an AMD, you will have to consult a doctor who, as a witness, is required to explain the AMD to you. You may have to pay the doctor for the services rendered. However, the AMD form itself is free.
Can I make an AMD while overseas?
As long as the first witness is a doctor currently registered with the Singapore Medical Council (SMC), and the AMD is filed with the AMD Registry in Singapore, the AMD is considered valid.
What if my family objects?
If you have made an AMD regardless of objections from members of your family, the doctors will have to respect your AMD. We encourage you to discuss it with your family members and loved ones. This will help them to understand and respect your wishes should you become terminally ill.
How does the hospital know I have made an AMD?
Hospital staff, including doctors and nurses, do not know who has made an AMD as it is confidential and they are NOT allowed to ask you if you have made an AMD. However, if your attending doctor has reasons to believe that you are terminally ill and unable to make your wishes known to him, he can check with the Registrar of Advance Medical Directives on whether you have made an AMD.
Can an AMD be used as euthanasia or mercy killing?
Euthanasia/mercy killing is the deliberate ending of the life of a person suffering from an incurable and painful disease by unnatural means, such as the administration of lethal chemicals. An AMD acts as advanced instruction for your doctor not to prolong your life with extraordinary life-sustaining treatment, and to let the dying process take its natural course when you become terminally ill and unconscious. The AMD Act does NOT encourage euthanasia. On the contrary, the AMD Act is explicitly and categorically against euthanasia.
When will an AMD be enforced?
The AMD will only come into force once you have been determined to have a terminal illness and a Certificate of Terminal illness has been issued.
Three doctors, including the patient's hospital doctor, must unanimously certify a patient's terminal illness. Two of the doctors must be specialists.
If the first panel of three doctors cannot agree unanimously that the patient is terminally ill, the doctor-in-charge will review his diagnosis. If he is still of the opinion that the patient is terminally ill, the matter will be referred to a second panel of three specialists, to be appointed by the Ministry of Health.
If the second panel of doctors also cannot agree unanimously that the patient is terminally ill, the AMD CANNOT take effect. The patient's life will continue to be sustained and he will receive medical treatment as normal.
What if I change my mind and want to revoke the AMD made?
An AMD can be revoked at any time in the presence of at least one witness. You should do so by completing AMD Form 3, which is the standard form for revocation of an AMD. (Those who have made an AMD will receive Form 3 together with Form 2, which confirms that their AMD has been registered by the Registry of AMDs)
Alternatively, you or your witness could write a simple letter to the Registrar of AMDs.
The letter should contain the following information:
- The name and NRIC of both the person revoking the AMD and the witness, along with their addresses and home and office telephone numbers.
- Time, date and place where the revocation was made.
- If the letter is written by the witness, the method of communication which the person used to communicate his intention to revoke the AMD (e.g. orally, sign language, etc.)
Revocations should be sent to the Registry of AMDs as soon as possible.
What if I'm unable to write?
In this case, the AMD can be revoked orally or in any other way in which you can communicate. It is then the responsibility of the witness to the revocation to submit the notice of revocation using Form 3 or the letter as described above. The witness should also state the reason why the person revoking the AMD could not do so himself.