Advance Care Planning (ACP)
Advance Care Planning (ACP) is
a discussion between a person and their health care provider
which can help them prepare for the future. People usually
have these discussions because they have a health condition
that is expected to get worse and they want to plan for this.
When a person's health worsens, they may lose
capacity or become unable to say what their wishes and preferences
for future medical care and treatment are.
Advance Care Planning is voluntary, so a person doesn't have to
make any plans for their future care unless they wish to
do so. However, talking and recording their wishes in advance means
that their wishes are more likely to be known by others
and followed if they are unable to make decisions for
themselves.
Advance Care Planning gives a person an opportunity to
think about, talk to others and write down any preferences and
priorities they may have for their future medical care and
treatment. This can include how and where they may wish to be cared
for towards the end of their life.
An Advance Statement: ('What you want to
happen') is an expression (written and/or recorded
verbal) of a person's general preferences and wishes about future
care and treatment. It can cover medical and non-medical
matters. It can be used for a person to explain their thoughts,
beliefs and values about how they make decisions which can be used
in making decisions if they lose capacity to tell us about
their wishes for care. An Advance Statement
is not legally binding but allows the person to
make their wishes and preferences known and will be
taken into account by the health care professionals.
An Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT)
('What you don't want to happen') This is
sometimes called a 'Living Will' or an 'Advance Directive' and is a
record of a person's refusal to have a specific medical
treatment in the future. An ADRT is legally binding in England and
Wales and should be written and signed by the person with two
witnesses present. The ADRT is only relevant if the
person loses capacity or is unable to express their wishes and
preferences.
For more information please download this patient
leaflet.
Preferred Priorities of Care is a document for
you to write down what your wishes and preferences are during
your last year or months of your life. Please follow this link.
Advance Care Planning Clinic
The Supportive and Palliative Care team hold a weekly outpatient
clinic where patients can discuss and plan their future care. An
appointment can be made by a person's GP or a member of hospital
staff.
For further help and information
NHS Choices - Planning Ahead
Planning Your Future Care - A Guide This
booklet gives you more information about advanced care
planning.
