Advance care planning

Advance care planning is a conversation in which a person sets out the care they would want if they later become unable to decide for themselves.

Updated 12 October 2026 (1 minute read)

Summary

  • It is voluntary and can be revisited whenever the person's health or wishes change.
  • It can lead to an advance statement of wishes, an advance decision to refuse treatment, or a lasting power of attorney.
  • An advance statement is not legally binding, but it must be taken into account when a best interests decision is made.
  • Many NHS areas record a patient's wishes for emergency care on a form called ReSPECT.

Interview questions

  • What is advance care planning?
  • A patient with early dementia has never discussed their future care. How would you raise it?
  • Why might a patient not want to talk about the end of their life?

Practise answering these with a mentor

Our interview preparation has you answer questions like these out loud, with feedback on each answer.

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