Anticipatory Care Plans (ACP) form part of a holistic approach to providing care for patients with complex conditions and/or care needs. In the past they were used for people with life-limiting conditions. Today we also use them for people with long-term or complex medical and social care needs.
An anticipatory care plan is created in collaboration with a patient and their families and care givers. It is designed to provide information and guidance to medical and social care staff in the event of a crisis or deterioration of a condition. ACPs aim to ensure that a patient's wishes and needs are met and that appropriate care is organised based on these wishes and needs.
ACPs can include information about your current situation, potential problems that may develop, and your preferred management of these problems. An ACP can also include information about your emergency contacts, as well as decisions surrounding Power of Attorney, Living Wills, and resuscitation.
Your GP may discuss the value of creating an ACP with you. Any patient can request an ACP and the GPs are happy to discuss any element of ACP with you.
More information about ACP can be found at the link below.
http://www.scottishneurological.org.uk/content/res/Anticipatory_Care_Planning.pdf