Simple Steps to Carrying out ACP
Step 1: Reflect on what you want
Think about the quality of life you want, and the medical treatment you are comfortable with.
You may use the ACP workbook to explore and share your care preferences. You don’t have to write down your wishes, although it can be helpful for you to refer to in the future.
Step 2: Choose and talk to your Nominated Healthcare Spokesperson (NHS)
Your NHS is responsible for speaking on your behalf about your healthcare preferences when you are no longer able to do so. In such situations, the healthcare team will consult your NHS and discuss your care plan.
Your NHS must be at least 21 years old or above and should be:
- respectful of your wishes and act on them, instead of their own
- able to make decisions under stressful situations
- willing to listen to and understand your care preferences
- able to communicate effectively and speak to the healthcare team
- easy to reach in times of emergency
Most people choose a family member or a close friend, but it can be anyone you trust and feel comfortable with.
You can appoint up to 2 persons to be your NHS. If you’re appointing more than one person to be your NHS, they should all:
- know your care wishes very well
- agree on what your preferences are
Step 3. Document Your ACP
As you discover your preferences, start documenting them. There are two ways to prepare an ACP:
1) Use the myACP online service
Complete your ACP without having to speak to an ACP facilitator. You can use the myACP online service if you:
- have a Singpass account
- are at least 21 years old
- do not have any existing serious illness
- do not have a Preferred Plan of Care (PPC) ACP or Disease Specific (DS) ACP
Once you’ve completed the online form, your NHS will receive digital invitations. They’ll be notified via SMS, and must accept or reject their appointment by logging in to My Legacy with their Singpass. Your ACP will automatically be registered once all your NHS have accepted their appointments.
Watch this video for a step-by-step guide on how to navigate myACP online service.
2) Book an appointment with an ACP facilitator
An ACP facilitator is an individual certified to have ACP discussions and guide users with making decisions on their healthcare preferences.
Visit an ACP service provider if you:
- prefer to have a conversation with an ACP facilitator and be guided through your ACP process
- have an existing serious illness*
Your ACP will be registered in the National Electronic Health Records (NEHR) upon completing all discussions with your facilitator. Some service providers may charge a nominal fee for doing an ACP. Please check with the respective organisations for details.
Step 4. Review your ACP
You’re encouraged to update your ACP to ensure that it reflects your most current preferences. You may make changes to your ACP as long as you have mental capacity.
Review your ACP:
- Every new decade of life
- When your preferences change
- At every significant life stage or milestone (for example, when starting a family)
- After a significant medical diagnosis
- After a significant change in daily functioning (activities of daily living)
Start a new ACP to update your preferences and nominations. You may also visit an ACP service provider to do so.
If you have made changes to the ACP, remember to update your NHS too so that they will be up-to-date with your new ACP.
*Serious illnesses include:
• Cancer
• Chronic neurological diseases
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and End-stage Lung Disease
• Dementia
• End-Stage Renal Failure (ESRF)
• Heart Failure
• Severe Liver Disease
Start Your ACP Journey
Find an ACP facilitator using the ACP Directory below.
Learn More
Click on the following pages for more details on ACP.
All About ACP
Learn more about what ACP entails, why ACP is important and who can do ACP.
Simple Steps For ACP
Find out more on how to prepare for your ACP.
Other Ways To Plan Ahead
Apart from ACP, there are other tools that can aid you and your loved ones in planning ahead should you lose mental capacity.
FAQs on ACP
Here is a compilation of frequently asked questions about ACP.
ACP Resources
Access our compilation of materials and an online booklet on ACP here.
