Londoners urged to choose their end-of-life care in ‘death plan’

Londoners are being urged to complete a “death plan” that outlines how and where they should be treated by the NHS if they become seriously ill.

It enables them to choose to die at home rather than in hospital and can prevent paramedics from attempting resuscitation after a cardiac arrest.

The doctor leading the roll-out of the scheme said it could prevent people turning to foreign clinics such as Dignitas as they knew their death would be handled as they wished by the NHS.

More than 81,000 Londoners with long-term health conditions already have a Co-ordinate My Care (CMC) plan, including patients with cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and dementia.

It will give medics instant details of a patient’s health, previous treatment and wishes for end-of-life care.

The scheme has been open to all adult Londoners since May, enabling them to fill in their plan, known as myCMC, online. It is then sent to their GP, approved and added to the NHS database after the patient has discussed their choices. It can be viewed by the patient on their smartphone and updated. Paramedics will know when a 999 call is received if the patient has a care plan.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock described the scheme as “brilliant”. He said it would help avoid “unnecessary and distressing” trips to A&E and reduce the number of hospital deaths. 

Visit mycmc.online