{"id":391,"date":"2023-06-14T16:25:43","date_gmt":"2023-06-14T15:25:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oxfordhealth.nhs.uk\/chss\/?page_id=391"},"modified":"2025-09-29T09:14:37","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T08:14:37","slug":"acp","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/oxfordhealth.nhs.uk\/chss\/clinical-resources\/acp\/","title":{"rendered":"Advance care planning"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is advance care planning?<\/h2>\n

Advance care planning refers to the process of discussing and documenting a person’s wishes and preferences for medical care in the event they become unable to make decisions for themselves.<\/p>\n

It involves discussing end-of-life preferences, including the types of treatments desired, preferred place of care, and overall goals for care.<\/p>\n

The purpose of advance care planning is to ensure that a person’s values, beliefs, and preferences are respected when they are unable to communicate them themselves.<\/p>\n

\n \n The process<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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The process of advance care planning begins with a conversation between the individual and their GP. This conversation is an opportunity to discuss the person’s values, beliefs, and preferences for medical care.\u00a0It may also involve discussing the individual’s fears and concerns about end-of-life care.<\/p>\n

The GP can provide information and guidance on the types of treatments and interventions that may be available and help the person to make informed decisions about their care.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/details>\n

\n \n Lasting power of attorney<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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In some cases, the individual may choose to appoint a person, such as a family member or close friend, to make decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so. This person is known as a lasting power of attorney (LPA) for health and welfare, and it is important to have these discussions and arrangements in place well in advance of a medical crisis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/details>\n

After these discussions have taken place, the GP will document them in a proactive care plan.<\/p>\n

\n \n Universal principles for advance care planning<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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    \n
  1. The person is central to developing and agreeing their advance care plan including deciding who else should be involved in the process.<\/li>\n
  2. The person has personalised conversations about their future care focused on what matters to them and their needs.<\/li>\n
  3. The person agrees the outcomes of their advance care planning conversation through a shared decision making process in partnership with relevant professionals.<\/li>\n
  4. The person has a shareable advance care plan which records what matters to them, and their preferences and decisions about future care and treatment.<\/li>\n
  5. The person has the opportunity, and is encouraged, to review and revise their advance care plan.<\/li>\n
  6. Anyone involved in advance care planning can speak up if they feel that these universal principles are not being followed<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n <\/details>\n

    It is important to note that advanced care planning is a dynamic process and should be reviewed and updated regularly. Changes in a person’s health, personal circumstances, and beliefs may mean that their preferences for medical care also change, and it is important to ensure that the person’s wishes are always up-to-date.<\/p>\n

    Useful resources<\/h2>\n