Before care starts, we’ll ask you for a few important documents and pieces of information. Having these ready helps your carer and care team understand the person receiving care, their health needs and any important decisions that may need to be followed.
You may already have some of these documents. If you don’t, don’t worry - the guides below explain what each one is and how to get it.
The documents we may ask for
1. Lasting Power of Attorney - Health and Welfare
A Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows someone you trust to make certain decisions about your care and medical treatment if you are unable to make those decisions yourself.
2. Lasting Power of Attorney - Property and Financial Affairs
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA allows someone you trust to help manage things such as money, bills, benefits, pensions and property.
3. DNACPR or ReSPECT plan
These documents record important decisions or recommendations about treatment in an emergency.
A DNACPR records that CPR should not be attempted if the person's heart or breathing stops. It applies to CPR only and does not mean that other care or treatment will stop.
A ReSPECT plan records personalised recommendations about emergency care and treatment if a person is unable to make or communicate decisions during an emergency. ReSPECT is not available in every local area, so your GP or healthcare team can advise whether it is used where you live.
4. Current medication information (FP10) & Medical summary
We need an up-to-date picture of the medicines the person is taking.
This should include the medication name, strength, dose, when it should be taken and any relevant instructions.
An FP10 is an NHS prescription. Prescriptions are often sent electronically to a nominated pharmacy, so you may not receive a paper FP10.
A medical summary gives us a useful overview of the person's health.
This can include current and previous health conditions, allergies, relevant medical history and ongoing treatment.
Why is this information important?
The more we understand before care starts, the better prepared your carer and care team can be.
Having the right information helps us:
understand the person's health and care needs
support medication safely
recognise changes in health
understand important decisions about treatment
work alongside GPs, hospitals and other healthcare professionals
provide care that is personal, safe and consistent from day one
Already have these documents?
If you already have any of the documents above, you don't need to arrange them again.
Please send us the most recent version you have. If you're unsure whether a document is still valid or whether you have the right version, let us know and we'll help you work out what is needed.
Don't leave it until the last minute
Some documents, particularly Lasting Powers of Attorney, can take time to arrange and register.
If you know that an LPA or another important document is not yet in place, it's worth starting the process as early as possible.