Planning Ahead for Your Future Care
Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a process that helps you think about, discuss, and record your wishes, preferences, and priorities for future care.
It gives you the opportunity to consider what matters most to you if there comes a time when you are unable to make or communicate decisions about your care yourself.
Advance Care Planning is not just for people at the end of life. It can be beneficial for anyone living with a long-term condition, frailty, or serious illness, and for those who simply wish to plan ahead.
Why is Advance Care Planning Important?
Advance Care Planning can help ensure that:
- Your wishes and preferences are known and respected.
- Your family and loved ones understand what is important to you.
- Healthcare professionals can provide care that reflects your values and choices.
- Decisions about your future care are easier for those involved in your care.
The aim is to help you live well and receive the care you would want, in the place you would prefer, should your health change in the future.
What Can Be Included?
An Advance Care Plan may include:
- Your personal wishes, values, and goals.
- Preferences about where you would like to receive care.
- Religious, cultural, or spiritual beliefs that are important to you.
- Information about people you would like involved in decisions about your care.
- Details of any legal arrangements, such as a Lasting Power of Attorney.
- Specific preferences about future medical treatment and care.
How We Can Help
If you would like to create an Advance Care Plan, we can support you by:
- Discussing your wishes and concerns.
- Involving family members, friends, carers, or advocates if you wish.
- Helping you consider how your health and care needs may change over time.
- Ensuring your preferences are recorded and shared appropriately with healthcare professionals involved in your care.
When discussing your plan, we will take into account your:
- Personal history and experiences.
- Social circumstances and support network.
- Wishes, feelings, and priorities.
- Religious, cultural, and ethnic beliefs.
- Future aspirations and goals.
- Any other factors that are important to you.
Who Should Consider Advance Care Planning?
You may wish to consider Advance Care Planning if you:
- Have a long-term health condition.
- Are living with frailty.
- Have been diagnosed with a serious illness.
- Want reassurance that your future wishes are understood and respected.
Further Information
For more information about planning ahead for your future care, please visit NHS – Planning Ahead for End of Life Care using the link below.
Speak to Us
If you would like to discuss Advance Care Planning, please contact the surgery to arrange an appointment with a member of our healthcare team.
