Cancelling all or part of a co-decision-making agreement takes a number of steps. This includes getting forms completed by various people, including your doctor or another healthcare professional. You may need a person you trust to help you to complete these steps. If your co-decision-maker is cancelling the co-decision-making agreement, they will not have to get a statement from your doctor or another healthcare professional.
We will give you or your co-decision-maker the forms and templates needed to cancel your co-decision-making agreement. We can also give you information about making a new co-decision-making agreement, or a different type of support arrangement.
The easiest way to cancel all or part of a co-decision-making agreement is through our online portal MyDSS. If you already have an account with us, you can log in to your account and start a new revocation (cancellation) application. You can also start the process by viewing your registered arrangement and selecting the relevant option.
If you do not have an account with us, that is no problem. You can contact us, and we will help you set up your account, or find an option that meets your needs. The DSS has an Accessibility Policy; click on the link Accessibility Policy for information.
Steps for ending your co-decision-making agreement
You must take the following steps to cancel all or part of a co-decision-making agreement:
- Fill out the co-decision-making agreement revocation application form
- Visit your doctor or another healthcare professional to get a statement confirming your capacity to cancel the co-decision-making agreement. (This is required only if the person who appointed the co-decision-maker is making the application)
- Sign a declaration in front of two witnesses
- Inform the notice parties (give notice) that you are cancelling all or part of the co-decision-making agreement
- Inform the Decision Support Service
We will review your application to cancel all or part of the co-decision-making agreement to make sure it meets the legal requirements. We may need to ask you for more information as part of this review.
When we cancel the co-decision-making agreement we will remove it from the Register and it will no longer have any legal effect. If we cancel part of the co-decision-making agreement, we will remove the relevant part from the Register.
Other reasons why your co-decision-making agreement may end
Your co-decision-making agreement will also end in the following situations:
- If you lose capacity to make one or more of the decisions included in your agreement
- If another decision support arrangement is registered or comes into effect which cancels your co-decision-making agreement. This may include a decision-making representation order, an enduring power of attorney or an advance healthcare directive
- If your co-decision-maker is unwilling, unable or otherwise prevented from continuing in their role
- At the time of your death