#3 The role of Treatment Escalation Plans in Advance Care Planning with Dr Amy Heskitt

In episode 3 I talk with Dr Amy Heslitt about Treatment Escalation Plans, or TEPS. TEPs are a part of Advance Care Planning and focus on planning ahead in case of a crisis situation including guidance on a person's wishes about being admitted to hospital. Amy shares how to start important conversations and what makes a good Treatment Escalation Pan.

Key messages from Amy

• A TEP is A Treatment Escalation Plan, a condensed summary plan summarising someone’s medical background, wishes and preferences and ceilings of care

• A TEP is an easy way of sharing information quickly in crisis situations

• There are many different type of TEP, sometimes called ceilings of care or ReSPECT, currently there is no national universally used document in England.

• TEPs are about crisis planning, this can mean admission avoidance if this is in alignment with someone's goals.

• Using the phrase "if your health was to worsen" is one way of starting the conversation - easier than asking "wat are your goals"

• Amy acknowledges the emotional energy of Important Conversations

• Start these conversations early

• Be flexible with planning with treatment decisions

• Communicate messages in the plan widely

Resource

• End of Life Essentials: SPIKES

• Digital Legacy Association

• LPA Registered: What Next?

• Treatment Escalation Plans

Find out more about my Bespoke Consultancy

• Service analysis for teams seeking to improve EoLC or prepare for CQC

• End of Life Care Education

• Lasting Power of Attorney Consultancy

• Talks and presentations

If you’d like to find out more about my work contact me.

What one thing will you do?

It would be great to share what resonated with you from this episode, what is the one thing you will do differently? Head to Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn to continue these important conversations.

Thanks to all my guests for working with me to share their knowledge, experience and stories about Advance Care Planning. I hope you enjoyed listening and have insights to take away; I love hearing your reflections on the series and look forward to reviews on Spotify where you can also subscribe to the series.

Clare

Important Conversations about Important Conversations.

Podcast edited by Martin Whiskin.