An Advance Care Plan (ACP) is a record of what sort of care you want in the future. It can then be used if you become too unwell to make decisions. It also states who should be consulted on your behalf.

About advance care plans (ACPs)

Advance Care Planning helps you think ahead about what is most important to you as you approach the end of life. This will ensure that your care reflects your wishes.

It involves:

  • making decisions about your future
  • making a list of your wishes
  • saying who you want to be involved in decisions about you
  • telling people who care for you what your choices are.

Your doctors and nurses can help you understand your options and what sort of care you might need.

It is helpful to discuss your wishes with your family and/or friends.

Why write an ACP

If you become too unwell to make decisions, an ACP will guide your health care professionals and family.

Planning your care in advance will:

  • make it more likely that other people understand what is important to you
  • make it more likely that you get the care that you want
  • make things easier for your family
  • make it easier to plan ahead and give freedom to get on with living now.

What you can write in an ACP

An ACP is a document that states what is important to you. You might want to think about the following questions.

  • How would you like to be looked after?
  • How do you like to do things? For example, do you prefer a shower or bath, or like to sleep with the light on?
  • Where would you like to be looked after in the future and in your final days?
  • Are there any spiritual or religious beliefs you would like reflected in your care?
  • Are there any treatments you would not want to receive - for example, tube feeding or blood transfusions?
  • If you heart stops beating, would you want to be revived (resuscitated)? Your doctor and nurses will be able to discuss this with you to make a decision together.
  • Who would you like to spend time with?
  • Who should your doctors or nurses talk to if you become unable to make decisions?
  • Do you want to appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf (Lasting Power of Attorney). They can then make decisions on your behalf when you are unable to.
  • Do you have any thoughts about what you would like to happen to your body after you die?
  • Do you want to donate your organs?
  • Do you have any specific wishes for your funeral?
  • Do you have any concerns or solutions about practical issues - for example, who would look after a pet if you became ill?

How to make an ACP

Sometimes your GP, hospital doctor or nurse will suggest planning ahead. But you can start a conversation about it with them at any time. It may also help to talk your wishes through with your family and friends.

Once you know what your wishes are, they could be written in an Advance Care Plan document.

An Advance Care Plan is not legally binding. It is a guide for healthcare professionals and family. It helps them understand what is important to you and makes it more likely that your wishes will be followed.

Other processes exist which ensure your wishes about care and treatment are legally binding (for example, Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment). A healthcare professional will be able to advise you on these. The Office of the Public Guardian can also help you.

Involving carers

Carers are often expert partners in care. They can play a vital role in telling others what matters to you.

With your consent, your carer(s) should be involved in discussions, decision-making and planning for your future care. They should also be told about any changes. This includes advance care planning.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) gives someone legal authority to make decisions if you cannot, but it is not needed for planning care.

If you change your mind

You can change your Advance Care Plan at any time. It is a good idea to review your plan regularly to make sure it still reflects your wishes. It is also important to update your Advance Care Plan if your situation or views change.

Where to keep your ACP

You are responsible for keeping your Advance Care Plan document safe.

It is a good idea to give a copy to:

  • the health professionals involved in your care
  • your family and friends who might need to be involved in your care
  • your Lasting Power of Attorney, if you have one.

This helps to make sure that people around you can follow your wishes.

You can ask your doctor or nurse about how to make sure that other health and social care professionals know about your Advance Care Plan. They might be able to do things like create an electronic record of your plan (called Universal Care Plan or UCP). This can then be accessed by hospital staff, out-of-hours doctors and the ambulance service.

More information

For more information, speak to your healthcare professional or use the following organisations.

Contact information

For more advice, talk to your GP or any of the hospital team looking after you