Advance care planning is a proactive way to ensure your wishes for future care and treatment are understood and respected, even if you lose the capacity to communicate. By planning ahead, you not only make your preferences clear but also reduce the emotional and practical burden on your loved ones during difficult times.

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Why create an advance care plan?

Planning for the future, especially for illness, dying, and death, might feel overwhelming or "morbid," but it can be a powerful and empowering step. An advance care plan ensures your voice is heard even when you can’t speak for yourself.

Without clear instructions, your family or carers may face additional stress trying to guess your wishes. Important information like bank accounts, pensions, utilities, and healthcare preferences could become inaccessible, leaving your loved ones in a difficult position.

Even if you’re in good health, advance care planning prepares you for unexpected events like medical emergencies or accidents that could result in loss of capacity.

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How can Mountbatten Isle of Wight help you create an advance care plan?

1. For Mountbatten patients
If you’re under Mountbatten’s care, speak with the health professional leading your care. Your advance care plan can be recorded electronically and securely stored in your patient record.

2. For everyone else
The Mountbatten Advance Care Plan booklet is available to anyone, regardless of health status. This interactive PDF can be completed digitally or printed for manual use.

Download the booklet: click HERE to download your Advance Care Plan booklet.
Request a paper copy: Visit a Mountbatten shop, the John Cheverton Centre, or call 01983 529511.

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Frequently asked questions about advance care planning

Q: What happens if I don’t create an advance care plan?
Without an advance care plan, your family or loved ones may not have the legal authority to make decisions about your care and treatment. Only a legally appointed Lasting Power of Attorney for health and well-being has this right.

Q: Can I appoint someone to make decisions for me?
Yes, you can legally appoint a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for health and welfare or property and finances. This process requires capacity and can take up to 12 weeks. Contact the Office of the Public Guardian at 0300 456 0300 for more details.

Q: Is my advance care plan legally binding?
An advance care plan is not legally enforceable but serves as a valuable guide for healthcare professionals and loved ones to respect your wishes when making “best interests” decisions.

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What should I do with my advance care plan once it’s complete?

• Keep it accessible: Store your plan somewhere easily accessible in case of emergencies.
• Share it: Inform family, carers, and healthcare providers about your plan so they understand your preferences.
• Update it: You can revise your advance care plan anytime to reflect changes in your circumstances or wishes.

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Take action today

Advance care planning is a gift to yourself and your loved ones, ensuring your wishes are known and reducing uncertainty during challenging times.

Download your advance care plan:

• Interactive PDF: click HERE to download your Advance Care Plan booklet.

This interactive PDF can be completed digitally or printed for manual use.

• Paper version: Visit Mountbatten shops, the John Cheverton Centre, or call 01983 529511 to request a copy.