13th August 2025

Coming together to grow ReSPECT in Lincolnshire

Event report: ReSPECT Workshop, Thursday 7 August, 2025

On Thursday 7 August, the It’s All About People Team and the Ageing Well Programme hosted and facilitated a workshop about ReSPECT conversations and the progress made to embed this important national initiative across Lincolnshire.

What exactly is a ReSPECT conversation?

ReSPECT, short for Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment, is about ensuring a person’s wishes for their care are clearly known and respected, especially in urgent or crisis situations where time is limited and communication might not be possible.

ReSPECT isn't just about filling in a form - it’s a meaningful discussion - or discussions - between the person, healthcare professionals, and the people who matter to them, resulting in a personalised plan that truly reflects what matters most.

The challenge? Too often, these conversations happen too late, are unclear, or aren’t recorded properly.

But in Lincolnshire, teams across the health and care system have been working together to change that.

Under the leadership of Jenny Fryer, former ReSPECT Project Manager, Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), a local policy was created alongside standardised training, a quality audit tool, and other resources to ensure ReSPECT is delivered well in the county.

Since Jenny moved on, the work hasn’t slowed - in fact, it has continued to grow. This summer felt like the right moment to pause, reflect on what’s been achieved, and think about where we go next.

That’s why the first ReSPECT workshop was held, hosted by Lincoln Medical School at the University of Lincoln. The event brought together colleagues from across health, social care, care homes, home care, and the voluntary and community sector. It was both a chance to celebrate the progress so far and a space for honest, forward-looking conversations about the work still to be done.

The day began with Dr Sadie Aubrey, GP and Clinical Lead, who delivered an update on both the national and county ReSPECT picture, providing a powerful reminder of why these conversations matter so much.

We then heard inspiring voices - and success stories - from across the system, including Dr Adam Brown, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, who shared how the Lincolnshire ReSPECT Policy and the Palliative and End of Life Lincolnshire website have become essential resources for colleagues.

One of the most moving moments came from Oonagh Quinn, who, in a short video, spoke about her Mum’s positive ReSPECT journey over several years. Sadly, this was contrasted with another family’s ReSPECT experience in Lincolnshire, one that left them feeling ignored and unheard, and a stark reminder of why this work matters.

Workshop discussion groups

The event concluded with lively and sometimes challenging workshop discussions around:

How to lead ReSPECT conversations with adults
ReSPECT training and development
Multi-agency working and shared decision-making
How to complete a ReSPECT form

The following themes were identified via the discussion groups:

ReSPECT conversations should start as early as possible to allow the person to ask questions and be as comfortable and at ease as possible.
Documenting the outcomes of ReSPECT conversations is an iterative process, to be reviewed throughout the person’s journey.
Training and education in ReSPECT is more impactful when used with case studies and peer support.
We are better together! We need to create a network of ReSPECT champions and a peer review process.

And the groups made a number of pledges too!:

To promote ReSPECT in the workplace.
To commit to being a ReSPECT champion.
To promote training and personal commitment to maintain awareness and remain up to date with the ReSPECT process.
To implement ReSPECT conversations earlier in the person’s journey e.g., during the hospital discharge process.
To ensure the community ReSPECT document is reviewed in secondary care - and built upon, not destroyed.

A milestone event – but not the finish line!

The first Lincolnshire ReSPECT workshop was more than just a meeting of colleagues - it was a reminder of why this work matters so deeply.

We celebrated the progress that’s been made, we listened to powerful stories of care done well, and care that must be better, and we left with a shared commitment: To keep ReSPECT conversations at the heart of how we support people across our county.

What came through loud and clear is that ReSPECT is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you work in health, social care, home care, a care home, or the VCFSE sector, you can make a difference.

Every conversation started earlier, every plan reviewed more carefully, and every colleague supported to feel confident in delivering ReSPECT - all lead to better, more compassionate care.

So, this workshop marked a milestone, but not the finish line.

Together, we have the chance to make ReSPECT part of the culture of care in Lincolnshire, ensuring that every person’s voice is heard, valued, and acted upon when it matters most.