Deciding Right

A North-East initiative for making care decisions in advance. Looking for Deciding right resources? All resources can be found here.

All care decisions must come from a shared partnership between the professional and the child, young person or adult. But for those who do not have capacity for their choices, or may lose that capacity in the future it is important that the right choices are made.

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What is Deciding right?

Deciding right:

Applies to all ages, care situations and settings
Emphasises the partnership between the individual, carer or parent and the clinician
Places the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) at the centre of shared decision-making
Enables professionals and organisations to comply with the MCA by filling the gap in practice, not just the knowledge gap
Recognises the individual with capacity as key to making care decisions in advance
Empowers the individual who lacks capacity to have decisions made in their best interests
Enables information to be recognisable in all care settings
Introduces emergency health care plans as an important adjunct in all settings to tailor care to the individual with complex needs
Ensures that, wherever possible, documentation and information is suitable for all ages (children, young people and adults)

Why Deciding right?

It is crucial to put the individual at the centre of decision making
The MCA empowers individuals, partners and relatives and healthcare professionals to ensure decisions are tailored to each individual, regardless of their care setting
Deciding right enables professionals and organisations to comply with the MCA by filling the gap in practice, not just the knowledge gap
Compliance with the MCA fulfils the requirement of the law. The CQC are now checking compliance in all visits.
Deciding right is the opportunity to improve communication and reduce complaints & litigation

Successfully planning care in advance

Requires:

Putting the individual at the centre of the dialogue
Good communication skills
A professional who never assumes what an individual should know or discuss
Clear documentation of the decision-making

NB. ‘Advance care plans’ have no clinical or legal definition

More information is available, including detailed guidance, in Your life, Your choice.

Deciding right Regional Forms

These forms and associated guidance are for use by professionals working with patients who are making advance care decisions. They are recognised by organisations across the region and should be used in all instances of advance care planning locally. The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) will only accept the Deciding right forms. This page has the […]

Deciding right Resources

Deciding right Education Resources for Professionals

Deciding right Information for Patients and Public

Information for the public about Deciding Right Deciding Right Patient FAQs Deciding right leaflet Planning For Your Future Care Leaflet A leaflet for patients on advance care planning. Download the Planning for your Future Care leaflet Deciding right public facing Powerpoint Deciding right is an integrated approach to making care decisions in advance with children, young people […]