Services to Adults Greater Vancouver Regional Office 700-808 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L3 Ph: 604.775.1007 Fax: 604.660.9498 Lower Mainland Regional Office 700-808 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L3 Ph: 604.775.1001 Fax: 604.660.9479 Vancouver Island Regional Office 1019 Wharf Street, 4th floor, Victoria, BC Mailing: PO Box 9251, Victoria, BC  V8W 9J2 Ph: 250.356.8160 Fax: 250.356.7442 Interior-North Regional Office 1345 St. Paul Street, Kelowna, BC  V1Y 2E2 Ph: 250.712.7576 Fax: 250.712.7578 Estate Liaison Services 700-808 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L3 Fax: 604.775.0459 Ph: 604.775.0368 Private Committee Services 700-808 West Hastings Street , Vancouver , BC V6C 3L3 Fax: 604.660.4456 Ph: 604.660.1500 See Contact Us page for hours of service.

Substitute Health Care Decision-Making

Under the Health Care (Consent) and Care Facility (Admission) Act, health care professionals must obtain informed consent before treating a patient. However, if the patient is incapable, a substitute decision-maker is needed. In the absence of an already existing substitute decision-maker such as a Committee of Person or Representative under a representation agreement, the law allows certain family members to make decisions. When such family members are not available, the Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) is called upon to appoint another suitable decision-maker or to make substitute treatment decisions itself.

See our publication Consent to Health Care for more information.

Please note that the PGT's substitute health care decision services are available seven days a week, 365 days a year.

See our Contact Us page for regional contact information and toll-free line to access health care decision-making services.