Compass is still being developed and is effectively in beta. Some content and features may be incomplete, change, or not work as expected.

Content is anchored to trusted sources where available, but Compass has not yet been clinically reviewed. It provides general information rather than medical advice.

Feedback helps us identify gaps, errors, usability problems and opportunities to improve Compass over time.

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Care and support systems

Advance directive

A written record of treatments you would refuse, which can be legally binding.

What it means

Where advance care planning is the conversation, this is one of the documents it can produce. What it is called, what it can cover and how binding it is differ between countries and even between states, so local advice matters more here than general advice.

Why you might hear it

  • It may be called something different where you live.
  • Teams often ask whether one exists and where it is kept.

People who may help

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.