Refreshed Lincolnshire ReSPECT policy: What you need to know

Lincolnshire Integrated Care System (ICS) has refreshed its ReSPECT (Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment) policy.

DOWNLOAD the refreshed ReSPECT Policy for Lincolnshire (2025)

The updated policy strengthens how we work together to support personalised emergency care planning, and makes the ReSPECT process clearer and easier to use for staff across all health, social care, and voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) settings.

At its heart, this refresh is about helping the right conversations happen earlier, more consistently, and with the people who know the person best.

ReSPECT Policy Launch Drop-in Events

Get up to speed with the refreshed policy by joining one of four drop-in events, See further down this page for more details and links to join these events.

What’s changed?

1. More staff can start a ReSPECT conversation

Good news: ReSPECT conversations no longer need to wait for a specific role or setting.

Both registered and non-registered staff working in health, social care, and VCFSE settings can now:

• Start a ReSPECT conversation
• Contribute to discussions and documentation

This means conversations can happen sooner, in familiar environments, and with staff who already have trusted relationships with the person.

2. Clinical sign-off is simpler and quicker

It is no longer necessary for a GP to sign the ReSPECT form.

Instead, the form should be signed by a relevant registered clinician involved in the person’s care. This keeps appropriate clinical oversight in place while reducing delays and supporting quicker, safer decision-making.

3. Improved accessibility and consistency across all settings

The refreshed policy introduces:

• A single, standardised ICS-wide ReSPECT template
• Better alignment and understanding across community, acute, ambulance, care home, and hospice settings
• Clear guidance on documentation, coding requirements, and responsibilities

All of this makes it easier for ReSPECT plans to travel with the person, ensuring the information contained is recognised, understood, and followed, wherever the person receives care.

What is a ReSPECT conversation?

A ReSPECT conversation is a structured, person-centred discussion between:

• The person themselves
• Those important to them (with permission)
• Health, social care, and VCFSE professionals

The conversation focuses on:

• What matters most to the person
• What treatments might be appropriate in an emergency
• Agreeing personalised clinical recommendations
• Making decisions about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as part of wider emergency care planning

These conversations should happen as early as possible, particularly for people with frailty, complex needs, life-limiting conditions, or a risk of sudden deterioration.

Why understanding these changes matters

Understanding and using the refreshed policy helps to:

• Improve people’s experience of emergency care by ensuring staff understand their wishes, values and goals.
• Reduce distress for individuals, families, and carers at times of crisis
• Support lawful, ethical, and person-centred decision-making, aligned with national ReSPECT and Resuscitation Council UK guidance.
• Removes unnecessary delays by allowing appropriately registered staff, not just GPs, to provide clinical sign-off of ReSPECT forms
• Promote consistency and safety across all Lincolnshire care settings, ensuring the ReSPECT form is recognised and acted upon wherever the person receives care.

Get up to speed at a ReSPECT Policy Launch drop-in event

To help staff feel confident using the refreshed policy, ReSPECT Policy Launch drop-in events are being offered. These events will:

• Walk through the key policy changes
• Offer practical tips for having and recording ReSPECT conversations
• Provide space for questions and real-world scenarios
• Signpost training, templates, and local resources

Attend a ReSPECT drop-in support session - click on the appropriate link below:

• ReSPECT Policy Launch drop-in event - Thursday 12 February, 12noon - 1pm
• ReSPECT Policy Launch drop-in event - Wednesday 18 February, 12noon - 1pm
• ReSPECT Policy Launch drop-in event - Tuesday 10 March, 2pm - 3pm
• ReSPECT Policy Launch drop-in event - Wednesday 1 April, 1pm - 2pm

So, come along, ask questions, and leave feeling confident.

No booking, no pressure – just practical support to help you put ReSPECT into practice.

Other ReSPECT resources

• Lincolnshire ReSPECT resources for professionals:
  https://eolc.co.uk/professionals/respect

• National ReSPECT guidance:
  https://www.resus.org.uk/respect
• Local training modules and materials:
  Available via e-LfH and ICS intranet (see Appendix 3 of the policy)