Advance care planning (ACP) is the term used to describe the conversation between people, their families and carers, and those looking after them about their future wishes and priorities for care. 

Advance care planning hopes to improve care for people nearing the end of life and of enabling better planning and provision of care, to help them live well and die well in the place and the manner of their choosing. It enables people to discuss and record their future health and care wishes, and also helps to appoint someone as an advocate making the likelihood of these wishes being known and respected at the end of life.

The main goal is to clarify peoples’ wishes, needs and preferences and deliver care to meet these needs.

The 'What's Important To Me' booklet is a key document used within Bolton to enhance these conversations, and helps the patient document their care needs and thoughts.