Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a process of discussion and shared planning for future healthcare (and end-of-life care). It involves an individual, whānau and health professionals and is about identifying what matters to you.

ACP gives people the opportunity to develop and express their preferences for future care based on:

• Their values, beliefs, concerns, hopes and goals
• A better understanding of their current and future health
• The treatment and care options available

Although ACP work has been happening in Northland for a number of years, a submission was made to ELT in April 2018 and a later submission in late 2019 to establish ACP resources so that ACPs could be rolled out across Northland using the Whānau Tahi tool. Approval was given by ELT for ACP Project Management, SMO and Nurse Coordinator resource and to establish an ACP project to implement ACP’s via the Whanau Tahi ACP tool.

Northland DHB is committed to implementing ACP by ensuring resources and education are available to support the development of skills and knowledge of staff and of the population of Northland. The vision is that ACP will be normalised into everyday clinical practice and included in all care plans for people living with long-term conditions.