New guidelines help patients plan advance care
New guidelines help patients plan advance care
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Thursday, 19, Feb 2009 12:58
New guidelines have been launched allowing patients to decide their future health in case they lose their mental capacity.
At present most people claim they want to set out their plans, but patients rarely make specific arrangements or produce documents that allow healthcare professionals to know their choices.
The new national guidelines advance care planning (ACP) are designed to show clinicians how, when and where to discuss these issues with patients.
It also explains how to document choices if the patient wants to record them, particularly if they want to record an advance decision to refuse treatment (ADRT),
formerly known as a living will or advance directive.
Those behind the guidelines claim advance decisions only come into force if someone loses capacity, and do not override the decisions of someone who is still competent to make them.
The new system will allow healthcare professionals to guide their patients through the process of making special arrangements and comply with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 so that documents can be produced which are legal and sensitive to the patients views and beliefs.
Lead author of the new document Dr Simon Conroy, representing the British Geriatrics Society, said in a statement: "There is now a major emphasis on advance care planning and a growing openness about end of life care more generally in the NHS.
"But it is important to remember that ACP is not for everyone and should not be
forced upon individuals. We hope that these guidelines will help professionals to help the public in ensuring their wishes are respected in circumstances when they are unable to express themselves."
He added ACP is a process which can be complex and therefore to be effective should involve health care professionals.
Janet Davies, executive director of nursing and service delivery at the Royal College of Nursing also commented: "These guidelines will be a useful tool for all healthcare professionals involved in advance care planning, which can be a complex process to navigate.
"Setting out the best times and places to discuss these sensitive issues with patients will help nurses and other healthcare professionals to ensure best practice prevails."