The Evening Times ran an article about figures in a new report showing that women from Lanarkshire experience higher-than-average rates of stillbirth and neonatal deaths than other parts of Scotland. The region recorded the second-highest rate in Scotland with 6.42 deaths per 1,000 births. However it is worth noting that the figure of 7,096 Lanarkshire resident […]
Give yourself peace of mind with an Anticipatory Care Plan and Power of Attorney
NHS Lanarkshire is part of a national campaign to encourage people to give themselves peace of mind by thinking about their future health, social and personal care.
Along with its partners North and South Lanarkshire Councils and North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships, the health board is encouraging everyone to start the conversation about Anticipatory Care Planning (ACP) and Power of Attorney (POA).
An Anticipatory Care Plan is a document compiled by an individual which records how they would like to be cared for in the event of them becoming ill and not being able to communicate with family or friends. The plan is a record of the conversation between the individual and their loved ones which maps out that person’s wishes and choices should they be faced with a situation where they are unable to communicate these.
Power of Attorney is a legally binding document which gives someone you trust the ability to manage your financial and personal welfare affairs in your best interests.
NHS Lanarkshire long term conditions nurse consultant Janette Barrie (on right of photo) is overseeing the initiative in Lanarkshire.
She said: “Both ACP and POA are about giving people greater choice and control over their future care and support and we’d encourage everyone to have a conversation with their loved ones about how they would like their affairs to be handled in the event of any unexpected event that could leave them unable to communicate their wishes.
“We all hope for the best for ourselves and loved ones, but unexpected events can happen and having an ACP and POA in place can make such a situation that bit more manageable for everyone involved.”
NHS Lanarkshire ACP/POA project manager Sheila Steel (on left) added: “Having an ACP and POA in place will also give you peace of mind that your care and affairs will be looked after in the way you would wish them to be.
“People should also remember that they can amend their ACP and change their mind at any time.”
To find out more about ACP and POA, visit: www.mypowerofattorney.org.uk
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