Advance Care Planning
Advance Care Planning is the process of thinking about and discussing how you would like to be cared for in the final months, weeks, or days of your life. These conversations help ensure that your wishes are understood and respected, bringing comfort and peace of mind.
Advance Care Planning may include:
-
Deciding on the level of support you and your family may need.
-
Informing us of any religious beliefs that are important to your care.
-
Discussing your preferences regarding hospital admissions and resuscitation.
-
Considering where you would like to receive care in your final days.
These conversations must be handled with great sensitivity. When approached in the right way, they can provide reassurance and allow individuals to feel more in control of their future care. Unfortunately, media reports have highlighted instances where the process has not been managed well, leaving people feeling distressed. To ensure our patients receive the best possible experience, we have undergone team training and discussions, and are now reaching out more widely to offer Advance Care Planning.
While we have traditionally preferred to have these discussions in person, we now also conduct them via telephone or video consultations. Regardless of the method, we remain committed to approaching every conversation with the same sensitivity and individualised care.
As part of this process, we ensure:
-
Wherever possible, the conversation is with your usual GP.
-
Arrangements can be made for the conversation to include a family member, friend, or carer of your choice.
-
Follow-up conversations are available if you would like more time to think about your choices.
-
Your wishes are respected if you choose not to discuss Advance Care Planning.
-
For anyone unable to express their wishes (e.g., due to memory problems), we seek input from relatives or carers who may understand their preferences.
We encourage anyone who wishes to discuss Advance Care Planning to get in touch with the practice to arrange to speak to a GP.
Other useful resources:
https://www.mylivingwill.org.uk/home
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/end-of-life-care
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/end-of-life-planning