RCUK Policy Briefing: ReSPECT (Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment) adoption in the UK

A female healthcare professional in a navy tunic speaking to an older man in a white jumper and shirt.

Conversations regarding what to do in a future health and care emergency are essential, when understanding of what is important to the person. Discussing and documenting personalised recommendations for an individual’s clinical care and treatment is crucial, if in the future they are unable to express what is important to them.

Access to robust and recognisable communication in a health crisis is key to ensuring conversations can transform the care experience when it matters most. That is why Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) is leading on the UK-wide adoption of the Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT) process.

RCUK has published a position paper setting out the importance of the ReSPECT process in emergency care and treatment planning, and RCUK’s key recommendations on ReSPECT for the four nations.

"The ReSPECT process is unique as it is the only Emergency Care and Treatment Plan (ECTP) that spans all ages and is available throughout the United Kingdom.

It is increasingly being adopted within health and social care communities around the United Kingdom, including over 80% of counties in England, some areas of Scotland and in Northern Ireland.

Resuscitation Council UK advocates making ReSPECT a nation-wide process which promotes parity across the four nations”
James Cant, CEO of Resuscitation Council UK

Please read this policy briefing to find out more.

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Contact Details

Policy and Public Affairs team
Email: marcus.loney-evans@resus.org.uk