A DNACPR or ReSPECT plan can help make sure important decisions about emergency treatment are understood by the people providing care.
You may already have one in place. If so, please send us the most recent copy.
What is a DNACPR?
DNACPR stands for Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
It records a decision that CPR should not be attempted if a person's heart or breathing stops.
A DNACPR applies to CPR only. It does not mean that someone will stop receiving other appropriate care, treatment or support.
What is ReSPECT?
ReSPECT stands for Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment.
It is a personalised plan that records 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 area, so your GP or healthcare team can advise whether it is used locally.
How do I arrange one?
These are healthcare decisions, so you do not need to arrange a DNACPR or ReSPECT plan through edyn.care.
Step 1: Speak to the healthcare team
Start by speaking to the person's GP, consultant or another member of their healthcare team.
You could say:
"We'd like to discuss advance care planning and whether a DNACPR or ReSPECT plan would be appropriate."
Step 2: Have the conversation
The healthcare professional will discuss the person's health, wishes, priorities and the treatment that may or may not be appropriate in an emergency.
For a ReSPECT plan, the discussion is used to create personalised recommendations for emergency care and treatment.
Step 3: Keep the plan somewhere accessible
If a DNACPR or ReSPECT plan is completed, make sure the latest version is kept where it can be found quickly in an emergency.
A ReSPECT plan should be available to healthcare professionals if they need to make decisions in an emergency.
Step 4: Tell us about it
If the person receiving care has a DNACPR, ReSPECT plan or another relevant emergency care plan, please send edyn.care the most recent copy.
This means your carer and care team can understand and follow the plan if an emergency occurs.
What if circumstances change?
These plans should reflect the person's current situation.
If their health, treatment or wishes change, speak to their healthcare team about whether the plan should be reviewed. NHS guidance recommends reviewing DNACPR decisions when circumstances change.
Find out more