Hong Kong's new legislation, allowing terminally ill patients to refuse life-sustaining treatment, is set to commence on July 31. This ordinance, passed in November 2024, grants legal status to advance care planning and protects healthcare providers involved.

The Hong Kong government has planned for legislation allowing terminally ill patients to refuse life-sustaining treatment to start on July 31. In a paper submitted to the Legislative Council, authorities said that the Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance, passed in November 2024, would provide legal status to patients’ advance care planning while offering protection to healthcare and rescue personnel. The two instruments covered under advance care planning – advance medical...