ReSPECT

ReSPECT stands for Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment. It is a national process established by the Resuscitation Council and is increasingly being adopted within health and care communities around the UK.

Wolverhampton has made the decision to embrace and adopt the ReSPECT process from September 1st.

What is ReSPECT?

ReSPECT is a short plan about what should happen if a person needs health care or treatment in an emergency but is unable to communicate their wishes at the time.
ReSPECT plans are made by a patients and healthcare professionals working together, having conversations about what the patient’s wishes would be regarding their future care and treatment. Following these discussions their wishes are recorded on the ReSPECT form.
ReSPECT can be used for anyone, but has increasing importance and relevance to patients with complex health needs, those who are nearing the end of their lives or who are at risk of sudden or unexpected deteriorations in health.
The ReSPECT form is not legally binding but intended to help guide clinical decision making especially in an emergency situation. Furthermore, it aims to help guide clinicians regarding a patient’s preferences for treatment whether this is to prolong life, focus primarily on providing comfort or a balance between the two.
The use of the ReSPECT process and form can be complemented by other documents including - but not limited to - advance care plans, eg. Me and My Care used in Wolverhampton and Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT).
The ReSPECT form includes treatment options and preferences and a recommendation regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It is important to note patients can still be recommended for CPR and have a ReSPECT form in place.
The ReSPECT form is a patient-held document, which travels with the patient as they interact with healthcare services both in hospital and in community settings.
The document can be amended as the patient’s clinical condition and preferences surrounding their care changes.

Who is ReSPECT for?

Anyone can participate in the ReSPECT process and it can be used for all ages. Even if they are currently well, particular consideration should be given to:

People with a long-term-condition, life limiting condition or disability who may deteriorate suddenly or are at risk of a sudden event.
People who were otherwise well who have deteriorated suddenly.
People at foreseeable risk of death or sudden cardiorespiratory arrest.
People having an intervention, such as major surgery.
People who are nearing the end of life.

The ReSPECT process is best started and the form completed when the person is relatively well, so that if a crisis occurs, their preferences and agreed clinical recommendations are already known and recorded. However, some people may develop a sudden, severe illness so consideration and discussion for ReSPECT should be done as soon as reasonably possible.