ReSPECT – the Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment has now been introduced in some localities as part of a formal research evaluation taking place over 3 years.
The next phase of its development allows health and care communities wishing to adopt ReSPECT to access the materials required to start planning implementation and become part of an Implementation Network.
The ReSPECT process can be for anyone, but will have increasing relevance for people who have complex health needs, people who are likely to be nearing the end of their lives, and people who are at risk of sudden deterioration or cardiac arrest. Some people will want to record their care and treatment preferences for other reasons.
Implementation of ReSPECT is expected to be a gradual process, with different health communities adopting and implementing this using different timeframes, according to local or regional circumstances. At this stage it is important that members of the public do not expect to have access to the ReSPECT process until it has been formally established in their locality.
The ReSPECT website will provide updates and information for both patients and professionals on aspects of the process; we encourage anybody who would like more information to visit the website to access the information and resources most relevant to their needs.
More information can be found on their website at www.respectprocess.org.uk
