Consultation on Goals of Patient Care form

Closed 8 Jul 2025

Opened 10 Jun 2025

Contact

9222 2300

acp@health.wa.gov.au

Feedback updated 16 Nov 2025

We asked

In July 2025, the End-of-Life Care Program’s Statewide Goals of Patient Care (GOPC) Working Group sought suggestions for improvement for the GOPC form used in public hospitals. The survey outlined several proposed changes for the form and allowed for additional suggestions. Anyone with an involvement in GOPC processes was encouraged to complete the survey to inform the review of the form.

You said

116 survey responses were received, with most respondents being hospital workers from public hospitals. Overall, there was strong support for the proposed changes to the form which included:

  • recording information about interpreters involved in discussions
  • adding prompts to check My Health Record and local records for existing advance care panning (ACP) documents
  • reflecting current terminology and names of ACP documents used in WA
  • incorporating more prompts to ask and record what matters most to the person, including values, physical, cultural, spiritual and environmental needs and end-of-life preferences
  • sharing copies of the form during transfers to another facility, home or with the patient’s GP
  • including more context regarding decisions for extended use and clarity as to which circumstances it applies.

Other key themes that emerged from the feedback included:

  • clarity required for the term ‘person responsible’ and how this relates to the Hierarchy of treatment decision-makers
  • need for better understanding of the legal standing of GOPC forms and different ACP documents
  • need to clarify and simplify sign off requirements
  • change the order of the form and wording of the questions (including prompts where practicable) to support the natural flow of the conversation
  • consider awareness raising for the general community and information for patients prior to the discussion to help inform discussions and decisions
  • consider development of statewide guidance, education and auditing processes to upskill health professionals to guide quality GOPC conversations and documentation.

We did

The survey results have been used by the Working Group to develop a revised version of the GOPC form. Once approved, the revised form will be rolled out across public hospitals and will be available on the Department of Health website. The survey results will inform future activities of the Working Group in regard to education and evaluation of GOPC processes.

Overview

Goals of Patient Care is a discussion and documentation that establishes the most medically appropriate, realistic, and patient centred treatment to apply in the event of a patient’s clinical deterioration during an episode of care.

It is a clinical care planning process that facilitates proactive shared decision-making between the treating health professionals, the patient and their families/carers and supports person-centred care.

Since 2017, WA public hospitals have used the statewide Goals of Patient Care form to provide a clear, consistent and effective approach to establish the goals of medical care for patients. 

Why your views matter

The Statewide Goals of Patient Care Working Group is seeking suggestions for improvement for the Goals of Patient Care form used in public hospitals via the completion of a survey. The survey outlines several proposed changes for the form and allows for any additional suggestions.

Anyone with an involvement in Goals of Care processes is encouraged to have their say. In particular, we are seeking feedback from:

  • WA Health staff who play a role in completing the Goals of Patient Care forms
  • Patients who have had experience with goals of care conversations whilst in a WA Health hospital.

The information collected by this survey will inform the Working Group’s review of the form.

We recognise that electronic versions of the form may differ slightly from the paper form shown in this survey, and we welcome comments about preferences where differences exist, along with the reason for those preferences.

Similarly, if you are working at a site that uses a different version of the Goals of Patient Care form (e.g. the Residential Goals of Care form or the Paediatric Goals of Care form), you are welcome to complete the survey and provide any learnings that may also be applicable to the statewide Goals of Patient Care form.

About the survey

The survey is expected to take about 20 minutes to complete.

All responses to this survey will remain private and confidential.

Before commencing this survey, please ensure you have downloaded the blank Goals of Patient Care form (see ‘Related Documents’ below survey link) and have it available to refer to.

You may exit the survey at any time and can save your progress by providing your email address. Please note that your results will not be submitted, if you do not press "submit" at the end of the survey. 

To begin the survey, click on the 'Online Survey' link below.

If you have any queries, please email the EOLC Program at acp@health.wa.gov.au or phone 9222 2300.

Audiences

  • Carers
  • Consumers
  • Planning
  • Planning
  • Policy
  • Public

Interests

  • All interests