In life we prefer to make choices about the way we live, and we make these choices based on what matters most to us. Everyone is different, and their choices are different too.

Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a process of discussions to help people to establish their priorities in end of life care in anticipation or recognition of future ill health. The discussions should be documented, reviewed regularly and communicated to key people involved in that person’s care.

Useful links

NHS website: planning ahead for end of life care

Hospice UK advance care planning

Marie Curie advance care planning

What Matters Most website

What Matters to You Resources

Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) Palliative and End of Life Care Alliance is supporting a system wide campaign to encourage all health and social care staff to move away from asking “What is the matter with you?” to a mindset of “What matters to you?” This becomes even more important when supporting people with end of life care needs, their families and carers.

The following resources have been developed to support ‘what matters to you?’ conversations as part of Advance Care Planning.