'Advance/Anticipatory Care Planning' - Getting Involved
Welcome to this web resource designed to complement the ‘Advance/Anticipatory Care Planning: Raising Awareness’ study days offered across Scotland by Strathcarron Hospice. The purpose is to support implementation of Advance/Anticipatory Care Planning across all health and social care settings. This collaborative initiative, funded by NHS Education for Scotland, is a response to Government initiatives including Living and Dying Well (2008) and the Living with Long Term Conditions Agenda. 
What is Advance/Anticipatory Care Planning? Advance/Anticipatory Care Planning (ACP) has been defined as a process of discussion between an individual, their care providers and often those close to them about their future care (NHS 2007). ACP facilitates discussions with the individual to clarify their values and to identify personal goals for future care including decision making at end of life. ACP is a reflective process and one that is voluntary, documentable and regularly reviewed.
Why is it important?
ACP is an essential component of palliative care for those with life limiting conditions who are being cared for in a variety of settings. It promotes:
- Patient centred care
- Autonomy and dignity of individual (even if the person has lost decision making capacity)
- Quality of living and dying
- Effective communication between the individual, family and health care professionals
There are a number of documents and publications produced covering many aspects of Advance/Anticipatory Care Planning. We have provided a summary of some of the most helpful to professionals in clinical practice, this list is not exhaustive and feel free to contact us if you wish to make some suggestions. The National Short Life Working Groups reviewing Advance/Anticipatory Care Planning and Do Not Attempt Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) Policies will be releasing their final reports in due course; these will also be available here. In the interim we have provided some local guidelines referred to during our sessions; however we suggest you liaise with local Palliative Care Clinicians for details of similar documents within your area.