Planning ahead

We want to support our patients and our health and social care colleagues in the community to have these sometimes difficult conversations. By having these discussions early you can make informed decisions about future treatment and care, express personal wishes and get your admin in order. You will be empowered to look after yourself and have a say right until you are no longer able to do so. This is immensely reassuring to those caring for you.

In the information below we have included resources for patients, families and professionals. There are some videos, downloads and links to other sites that might be helpful. If you cannot find something in specific, please do contact us and we will do our best to find what you are looking for. Our Information Hub also hosts additional resources for patients, families and healthcare professionals.

We have collaborated with Farewill and the National Free Wills Network to offer our community the opportunity to make or update a will free of charge. You can make a will online, over the telephone or with a local solicitor through the National Free Wills Network. Create your free will today.

When you are clear about what you want to happen in an emergency, you are ready have a conversation and to fill out the ReSPECT plan.

A ReSPECT plan is filled out by you and a healthcare worker together. The plan asks about what is important to you and the kinds of care and treatments you would want to have in an emergency. You can access and download our ReSPECT form here. 

Life Ledger is an end of life planning and account closure service. It is a simple tool to keep track of the accounts you have to help your loved ones navigate the administration after you have died. Life Ledger’s easy to use service means you can inform UK companies, such as banks and energy companies, linked to the deceased from a single point.

The Register a Life portal is only £1 a month – that is £12 a year! This contribution helps Life Ledger continue to offer free services to those in end of life care. Register your account.

The following NHS resource outlines what you can do to practically care for someone who is in their last days and hours of life, including communication, pain, going to the toilet, washing, eating and symptom management. Download practical care toolkit.

The Victoria & Stuart Project created an end of life planning toolkit together with people with learning disabilities, families, learning disability support staff, and healthcare professionals. It includes resources and approaches to support staff with end of life care planning with people with learning disabilities. Access the toolkit.