Preferred Priorities for Care (PPC)
A tool for discussing and recording end of life care
wishes
This person-held document was designed to facilitate individual
choice in relation to end of life care. Effective communication and
recording the individual's preferences and wishes enables both the
person and their carers to become empowered. It is helpful for
information contained within the PPC (with the individual's
permission) to be shared with their key care providers.
The PPC document provides the opportunity to discuss concerns
that may not otherwise be addressed. The explicit recording of
individual wishes can form the basis of care planning in
multi-disciplinary teams and other services, therefore reducing
unplanned admissions and avoiding inappropriate and/or unwanted
interventions.
However the PPC is not the appropriate place to record a decision
about refusal of a specific treatment. Further, should the
person lose capacity to make a decision about issues, the
previously completed PPC acts as an advance statement. This means
that information included within the PPC can be used as part of an
assessment of a person's best interests when making decisions about
their care.
Preferred Priorities for Care is a process which facilitates
service review, further empowering professionals to negotiate
service requirements on the behalf of the individual, becoming an
integral aspect of service commissioning and design.
Evaluations suggest that the PPC is having a significant impact
and enabling individuals to receive care in their preferred place
at the end of life.
Useful resources:
Hard copies of the PPC document, leaflets and posters
are available and can be ordered by emailing: information@eolc.nhs.uk.