The Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT) form is an important document that records personalised recommendations for a patient’s care in an emergency when they may not have the capacity to express their wishes. It is designed to support shared decision-making between patients, their families, and healthcare professionals, ensuring that emergency responders and clinicians have clear guidance on how to proceed in urgent situations.
In primary care, ReSPECT forms should be considered for patients with long-term conditions, frailty, life-limiting illnesses, or those at risk of sudden deterioration. The form provides clarity on treatment preferences, including whether cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be attempted, and outlines other appropriate interventions based on the patient’s values and clinical condition. It is not a legally binding document but serves as an important record of discussions and decisions made in advance.
Completion of the form should always involve a conversation between the patient, their GP, and where appropriate, family members or other healthcare professionals. These discussions should be handled sensitively, ensuring that the patient’s preferences and best interests are central to the decision-making process. The form should be reviewed regularly, particularly when there are significant changes in a patient’s health or circumstances.
Once completed, the original ReSPECT form should remain with the patient, usually kept in an easily accessible place at home. This ensures that emergency services and other healthcare providers can locate it quickly if needed. Copies may be shared with relevant professionals involved in the patient’s care, including GP practices, care homes, and community nursing teams. Photocopies and digital versions are generally accepted by healthcare providers as long as they are clear, legible, and accurately reproduced.
GPs should ensure that ReSPECT decisions are recorded in the patient’s medical records, including any key discussions leading to the completion of the form. Where possible, electronic records should reflect the existence of a ReSPECT form, and local systems should allow for easy retrieval of this information in an emergency.
Regular training and awareness among primary care teams are essential to ensure that ReSPECT forms are used effectively. Clinicians should be familiar with the process of completing and reviewing the forms and should be able to support patients and families in understanding their purpose. By integrating ReSPECT planning into routine care, primary care teams can help ensure that emergency treatment aligns with patients’ wishes and clinical needs, improving the quality and dignity of care in urgent and end-of-life situations.
In most cases, photocopies of ReSPECT forms are accepted as long as they are clear, legible, and accurately reproduced. However, there are important considerations to ensure validity. The form must be easily readable, without faded text or unclear signatures. The most up-to-date form should always be used to ensure it reflects current decisions and preferences. If a photocopy is used, it is good practice to indicate that it is a valid copy and not an outdated version.
Where possible, the original form should be used, as it remains the most reliable and widely accepted version. Patients and carers should keep it in an easily accessible place, such as by the bedside, with medical records, or in a designated folder at home. If a photocopy is needed, it should be a full, clear reproduction of the original document without alterations. Healthcare providers, including GPs, care home staff, ambulance crews, and hospital teams, should be informed about the form and its location.
If a patient’s preferences change, a new ReSPECT form should be completed, and outdated versions should be clearly marked as void.