ReSPECT (Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment) 

The ReSPECT process is designed to help you have discussions with your healthcare team to develop a personal plan for future potential emergency treatment. This plan highlights your personal preferences and recommendations for the type of clinical care and treatment you would like to receive in an emergency situation, if you are unable to make or express choices.

These recommendations are based on conversations between a person, their family and the health and care staff involved in their care to understand and identify what matters most to them and what is realistic in terms of their care and treatment. You can find more out here.

This allows a shared agreement to be created which records a person’s preferences and clinical recommendations on a non-legally binding form which can be reviewed and updated if circumstances or preferences change.

The ReSPECT process can be used for anyone but is particularly helpful for people with chronic health conditions, complex care needs and those whose health could deteriorate quite quickly. Some people will want to record their preferred care and treatment options for other reasons.

NHS Forth Valley was the first Health Board in Scotland to use the ReSPECT process, but it is now being used by several other NHS Boards across Scotland.  Feedback so far, shows that local patients, families, carers and staff have found that the process supports more personal, open and honest discussions about what matters most to individuals and how, more importantly, this can often lead to better experiences of care.

NHS Forth Valley is currently developing digital systems to support the roll out of the ReSPECT process across our local hospitals and GP Practices. This is being taken forward in partnership with NHS Education for Scotland’s Digital Service and will make it easier for healthcare staff to create and access these personal care plans.

If you feel the ReSPECT plan is relevant for you or a loved one, then speak to your a member of your healthcare team.

You can find out more about the ReSPECT process here or watch the short video below.

For more information about CPR decision-making in Scotland visit NHS Inform.