Joint statement on personalised approaches to care and treatment
Content
Classification: Official
Publications approval reference: 001559 / C0533
Joint statement on personalised approaches to care and treatment
20 May 2020
Background
As part of an ongoing programme of work to support colleagues across health and social care to maintain and champion personalised approaches to care and treatment, NHS England and NHS Improvement came together last week with a range of leading thinkers from the disabled rights movement, voluntary sector organisations, and specialist clinical directors. The current pandemic has brought into sharp focus the need for everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, to have the opportunity for their needs, wishes and preferences to be considered.
This meeting was co-chaired by Baroness Jane Campbell and James Sanderson, Director of Personalised Care for the NHS, who have issued this summary statement.
For further information email england.covid-eolc@nhs.net.
Statement
The outbreak of coronavirus does not change long-established best practice that
decisions around care and access to treatment, including end of life care, are made
on an individual basis and with clinicians, following the principles of personalised
care.
Every individual should be provided with ongoing opportunities to participate in
decisions that affect them. In relation to treatment decisions, patients should be
supported to make informed decisions by the provision of clear advice on options
from their clinicians, with family support or advocacy support if required and possible,
and in compliance with the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and related
guidance where relevant.
This means people making active and informed judgements about their own care
and treatment, at all stages of their life, and recognises people’s autonomy, as well
as their preferences, aspirations, needs and abilities. This also means ensuring
reasonable adjustments are supported where necessary and reinforces that the
blanket application of do not attempt resuscitation orders is totally unacceptable and
must not happen.
Baroness Campbell of Surbiton DBE
James Sanderson | Director of Personalised Care, NHS England and NHS Improvement