Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT)

What is ReSPECT?

ReSPECT stands for Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment.

The ReSPECT process creates personalised recommendations for your clinical care and treatment in an emergency, where you are unable to express your wishes.

It is used across a range of healthcare settings including your own home, an ambulance, a hospital, a care home or a hospice.

Who is ReSPECT for?

ReSPECT can be for anyone, but will have increasing relevance if you have complex health needs, are likely to be nearing the end of your life, or are at risk of sudden deterioration or cardiac arrest. Some people will want to record their care and treatment preferences for other reasons.

How does ReSPECT work?

The ReSPECT process begins with a conversation between you, your family, and your healthcare professionals. These conversations help create an understanding of what is important to you.

Your preferences and clinical recommendations are used to develop an agreed plan that are recorded on non-legally binding ReSPECT form. Your plan can be reviewed and adapted if circumstances change.

It is important to understand that the ReSPECT plan cannot be used to demand treatments that are not likely to benefit you and would not be offered.

In an emergency where you are not able to say what is important to you, clinical decisions will be made by health professionals trying to act in your best interests and for your benefit.

Why is this available?

In an emergency, healthcare professionals may have to make quick decisions about your treatment, and you may not be well enough to discuss what is important to you.

The ReSPECT plan empowers you to guide them on what treatments you would or would not want to receive. Many treatments that can be life-sustaining for some people carry a risk of causing harm, discomfort or loss of dignity.

Many people choose not to accept that risk if the likelihood of benefit from treatment is small.

For more information about ReSPECT, please visit the Resuscitation Council’s website: www.resus.org.uk/respect