Devon County Council

There may be times in your life when you think about the consequences of becoming seriously ill or disabled.  This may be at a time of ill health or as a result of a life changing event, or it may simply be because you are the sort of person who likes to plan ahead.

You may want to take the opportunity to think about what living with a serious illness might mean to you, your partner or your relatives, particularly if you become unable to make decisions for yourself.  You may wish to record what your preferences and wishes for future care and treatment might be or you may simply choose to do nothing at all.

A recent survey found that whilst 68% of people said they were comfortable talking about death, less than a third (29%) of people have discussed their wishes around dying. Talking about death can be scary but it doesn't bring it any closer.  Talking about death is about planning for the future.

Useful Links:

• Cancer Research UK
• CRUSE Bereavement Services
• Death and Bereavment
• Gold Standards Framework
• Marie Curie Services
• Macmillan Services
• National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines
• Dying Matters
• Treatment Escalation Plans

Hospice Links

• St. Lukes Hospice
• North Devon Hospice
• Rowcroft Hospice
• Hospiscare - Caring In Devon

Useful Documents:

• ‘Dying matters in Devon’- Co-ordinated by NHS Devon & Devon County Council
• Directory of Grief Support Services (89KB - pdf help)
• Treatment Escalation Plan (587KB - pdf help)
• Planning For Your Care Booklet (2.18MB - pdf help)
• Planning For Your Future Care Leaflet (121KB - pdf help)