We are listening – tell us what matters to you

Hello my name is,

Jean,

I’m the Associate Director of Nursing for Long Term Conditions.

Anticipatory Care Planning is a person-centred, “thinking ahead” approach where individuals and their carers are encouraged and supported to set agreed personal goals to ensure that the right thing is done at the right time by the right person with the right outcome. This way of working provides opportunities to improve health literacy and understand personal health and care issues, circumstances and outcomes, enabling informed decision- making and expression of preferences.

NHS Lanarkshire has taken a proactive approach by implementing a programme of work to embed the use of Anticipatory Care Plans (ACP) with individuals. The intention is to offer every patient with a long- term condition an ACP which can range from a self-management plan through to end-of-life care. This will empower individuals and carers to identify early, any circumstances that may have a negative or detrimental impact on their health and wellbeing, and on their long-term condition.

This process will enable meaningful discussion and relevant recording of future healthcare wishes and preferences before any deterioration of health. ACP gives people the opportunity to make informed choices about their own health and wellbeing, and discuss any concerns with those close to them or involved in their care.

ACP can help empower people to be aware of their own health needs and choices in care: a process which is encouraged and enhanced through relevant discussions with health or care providers. It is a person-centred process that helps give individuals and carers the knowledge and skills they need to understand their condition, early indications of change and the effects on their general health and wellbeing. ACP can support individuals and carers to make decisions that are important to them and to become more involved in planning and decision-making about their treatment and care. At times this may involve deeper and sensitive discussions with regard to how early indications of health needs can be effectively managed, including how their condition may progress over time. Establishing this aspect within any discussions can help individuals and carers develop the confidence to take more responsibility and control over their own condition and care.

If you have a long term condition and consider an ACP to be right for you or wish further information please speak to your doctor or nurse. You can find out more about ACP and Power of Attorney via this link: www.mypowerofattorney.org.uk

If you have an experience of NHS Lanarkshire Services you would like to share, please speak to a member of staff, respond on Patient Opinion, or visit the “Your Feedback” Section of the NHS Lanarkshire website to see the other ways to get in touch www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk