Debated in Parliament on 28 Feb 2017.
Ms K Thanaletchimi asked the Minister for Health in respect of the elderly in nursing homes and step-down care institutions (a) whether the Ministry can consider providing awareness, education and counselling services on the need for a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) to them; and (b) whether the Ministry and the Agency for Integrated Care can work with the legal fraternity and assist to extend greater accessibility to pro-bono legal services to those requiring LPAs.
Mdm Speaker, the Ministry of Health and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) have been working with the Office of Public Guardian (OPG) to reach out to aged care providers and the public to raise awareness on the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).
We have reached out to staff in close to three-quarters of all nursing homes on Advance Care Planning (ACP) which can include the planning for an LPA so that care decisions can be in line with an individual's wishes in the event of mental incapacity.
AIC conducts regular talks and case discussions with aged care providers to raise awareness on legal issues such as the LPA. For example, in October 2016, AIC partnered All Saints Home and the Pro Bono Services Office of the Law Society of Singapore to organise a seminar to provide nursing home staff a basic understanding of legal concepts such as the LPA, Mental Capacity Act and the Maintenance of Parents Act. Close to 120 staff from more than half of local nursing home providers attended the event.
Separately, AIC is also working with the Pro Bono Services Office lawyers and aged care providers to offer legal clinics. These legal clinics will provide pro-bono services and consultation on legal issues, including the LPA, for nursing home staff as well as residents and their family members.
We will continue to work on increasing the awareness of LPA and making LPA more accessible for the elderly.
Order, end of Question Time. Introduction of Bills. Senior Minister of State Indranee Rajah.
[Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), Written Answers to Question Nos 7-12, 14 and 16 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the Appendix. Question Nos 13, 15 and 17-16 have been postponed to the next available sitting of Parliament.]
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