How to Use This Checklist
Click each checkbox to mark items as complete. Your progress is automatically saved to your browser. Use this checklist to verify every requirement when preparing your advance care planning documents.
✅ Preparing Your Advance Care Documents
1. Before starting: Consider your values, treatment preferences, and who should make decisions for you
2. While completing: Verify every section against all 57 compliance points under Mental Capacity Act 2005
3. Before signing: Ensure witness requirements are met for ADRT refusing life-sustaining treatment
⚠️ Understanding Advance Care Planning Documents
📋 ADRT (Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment): Legally binding under Mental Capacity Act 2005. Allows you to refuse specific medical treatments in advance. Must meet strict requirements to be valid, especially for life-sustaining treatment.
📝 Advance Statement: NOT legally binding, but healthcare professionals must consider it. Records your wishes, preferences, values, and beliefs to guide care decisions.
🧠 Mental Health Advance Statement: Records preferences for mental health treatment during crisis. Must be considered under Mental Health Act 1983.
📋 LPA (Lasting Power of Attorney): Legal document appointing attorneys to make decisions if you lose capacity. Must be registered with OPG before use.
🚫 Critical: ADRT Requirements for Life-Sustaining Treatment
For an ADRT refusing life-sustaining treatment to be valid, it MUST: (1) Be in writing, (2) Be signed by you, (3) Be witnessed, (4) Include a clear statement that the decision applies "even if life is at risk". Without ALL these elements, healthcare professionals are not bound by your refusal of life-sustaining treatment.
🔵 Understanding Importance Levels
🔴 Critical: Legally required — document may be considered invalid or unenforceable if omitted
🟡 Important: Strongly recommended — ensures clarity and helps prevent disputes
🔵 Recommended: Best practice — enhances document effectiveness
Full Legal Name
Your complete legal name as it appears on official documents. Essential for identifying you unambiguously in medical records and ensuring healthcare providers can match documents to your file.
🔴 Critical
Date of Birth
Your date of birth for identification purposes. Required by healthcare providers to match documents to your medical records and verify your identity.
🔴 Critical
Current Residential Address
Your full current address. Important for identification and locating you in emergency situations. Also helps determine which NHS Trust/health authority is responsible for your care.
🔴 Critical
NHS Number
Your 10-digit NHS number (found on prescriptions, GP letters, or hospital correspondence). Allows healthcare providers to link your advance care documents to your electronic medical records instantly.
🟡 Important
National Insurance Number
Your NI number for additional identification. Useful as a secondary identifier if NHS number is unavailable, particularly for care home administration and benefits-related care.
🔵 Recommended
GP Name
Your GP's full name. Your GP should have copies of your advance care documents and can advise on medical aspects. They may also need to verify your capacity when signing.
🟡 Important
GP Practice Name and Address
Full details of your GP practice including address. Essential for healthcare providers to contact your GP and access your medical history when needed.
🟡 Important
GP Phone Number
Contact phone number for your GP practice. Allows emergency healthcare providers to quickly verify your documents and obtain medical history.
🟡 Important
GP Has Copy of Documents
Confirmation that your GP has been given copies of your advance care documents. Critical for ensuring documents are accessible in emergencies and recorded in your medical notes.
🔴 Critical
Primary Emergency Contact
Full name of your primary emergency contact - the first person to be notified if you become seriously ill. Typically a spouse, partner, or close family member who knows your wishes.
🔴 Critical
Primary Contact Relationship and Phone
Relationship to you (spouse, child, sibling, etc.) and phone number. Multiple contact numbers recommended (mobile and landline). Relationship helps staff understand their role in your care.
🔴 Critical
Secondary Emergency Contact
Alternative contact if primary cannot be reached. Important backup for emergencies when primary contact is unavailable, travelling, or unreachable.
🟡 Important
Contacts Aware of Documents
Confirmation that your emergency contacts know about your advance care documents and where they're stored. Essential for ensuring your wishes are communicated to healthcare providers in emergencies.
🔴 Critical
⚡
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Decision to Include ADRT
Clear decision on whether to include an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment. An ADRT is legally binding under Mental Capacity Act 2005 - healthcare professionals must follow it if valid and applicable.
🔴 Critical
Specific Treatments Identified
Clear identification of which specific treatments you are refusing. Common refusals include: CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), artificial ventilation, artificial nutrition/hydration, antibiotics for life-threatening infections. Be specific - vague refusals may not be followed.
🔴 Critical
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Circumstances for Refusal Specified
Clear specification of circumstances when refusals apply. Common circumstances: terminal illness with no prospect of recovery, persistent vegetative state, advanced dementia where you cannot recognise family. The more specific, the more likely to be followed.
🔴 Critical
Life-Sustaining Treatment Declaration
For any treatment that could be life-sustaining, include explicit statement: "This decision applies EVEN IF MY LIFE IS AT RISK as a result." This specific wording is required by Mental Capacity Act 2005 for refusal of life-sustaining treatment to be valid.
🔴 Critical
Additional ADRT Instructions
Any additional specific circumstances or treatments you wish to refuse beyond standard options. Space for personalised instructions that reflect your individual medical history, conditions, or concerns.
🔵 Recommended
Preferred Place of Care
Where you would prefer to be cared for if seriously ill: at home, in a hospice, in hospital, or in a care home. Not legally binding but healthcare professionals must consider this when making best interests decisions.
🟡 Important
Preferred Place of Death
Where you would prefer to die if possible: at home, in a hospice, in hospital. While not always achievable, expressing this preference helps healthcare teams plan palliative care appropriately.
🟡 Important
Pain Management Preferences
Your preferences for pain relief: maximum pain relief even if it affects awareness, balanced approach, or minimal medication to stay alert. Helps palliative care teams understand your priorities regarding comfort vs consciousness.
🟡 Important
Religious/Spiritual Beliefs
Any religious or spiritual beliefs that should guide your care: specific rituals, prayers, visits from religious leaders, dietary requirements, modesty concerns, or items you want nearby. Essential for culturally appropriate care.
🟡 Important
Personal Comfort Preferences
Things that bring you comfort: favourite music, photos, how you want to be addressed, personal care preferences, who you want present. Helps maintain dignity and comfort during serious illness.
🔵 Recommended
What Makes Life Meaningful
Statement of what makes life meaningful to you and what quality of life means. Examples: being able to recognise family, communicate, engage in hobbies, live independently. Helps healthcare teams understand your values when making best interests decisions.
🟡 Important
What Would Make Care Unacceptable
Clear statement of conditions you would find unacceptable: being unable to recognise loved ones, total dependence on others, severe cognitive decline. Guides healthcare decisions when treatment options are being considered.
🟡 Important
Other Wishes and Instructions
Any additional wishes healthcare professionals should know: views on experimental treatments, preferences about visitors, wishes about being alone vs having company, instructions about pets or other responsibilities.
🔵 Recommended
Decision to Include Mental Health Statement
Clear decision on whether to include a Mental Health Advance Statement. Particularly important if you have a history of mental health conditions or want to record preferences for crisis situations.
🟡 Important
Mental Health History (if relevant)
Relevant mental health diagnoses or history that healthcare providers should know about. Helps crisis teams understand your background and tailor treatment appropriately.
🔵 Recommended
Early Warning Signs of Crisis
Signs that indicate you may be becoming unwell: changes in sleep patterns, withdrawal from family/friends, specific thoughts or behaviours. Helps others recognise when you need support before crisis point.
🟡 Important
Preferred Mental Health Treatments
Medications or therapies that have worked well for you in the past. Helps crisis teams provide effective treatment quickly rather than starting from scratch with unfamiliar approaches.
🟡 Important
Treatments to Avoid
Medications or treatments that haven't worked or caused problems in the past. Note: under Mental Health Act 1983, some treatments may still be given against your wishes if detained, but preferences must be considered.
🟡 Important
Crisis Contacts
Specific people to contact during a mental health crisis - may be different from general emergency contacts. Include anyone who has supported you through previous episodes and understands your needs.
🟡 Important
Care of Dependents
Arrangements for care of children, elderly relatives, or anyone who depends on you if you are hospitalised. Include names and contact details of people who can take over caring responsibilities.
🟡 Important
Pet Care Arrangements
Who will care for pets if you are hospitalised. Include contact details and any specific care instructions. Reduces anxiety during crisis knowing pets are cared for.
🔵 Recommended
Work/Other Notification
Instructions for notifying employer or other organisations if you are hospitalised. Include who should be contacted and what information can be shared. Protects your job and other responsibilities.
🔵 Recommended
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LPA Status Recorded
Clear record of whether you have an existing LPA, one in progress, or no LPA. Important for healthcare providers to know who has legal authority to make decisions if you lose capacity.
🟡 Important
LPA Types Specified
Which types of LPA you have: Health and Welfare (for healthcare decisions) and/or Property and Financial Affairs (for money matters). Different attorneys may be appointed for each type.
🟡 Important
Attorney Names Recorded
Full names of appointed attorneys if LPA exists. Essential for healthcare providers to know who can make decisions on your behalf and who to consult about treatment options.
🟡 Important
OPG Reference Number
Office of the Public Guardian reference number for registered LPA. Allows healthcare providers to verify LPA status and check it's properly registered before following attorney decisions.
🔵 Recommended
Understanding ADRT/LPA Hierarchy
Confirm understanding that a valid ADRT takes precedence over a Health and Welfare LPA for the specific treatments it covers. Your attorney cannot consent to treatment you have refused in a valid ADRT.
🟡 Important
Later LPA Consideration
If creating LPA after ADRT, consideration of whether LPA should override ADRT. An LPA created AFTER an ADRT may override it unless the LPA specifically states otherwise. Be explicit about your intentions.
🟡 Important
Preferred Attorney Identified (if no LPA)
If you don't have an LPA, identify who you would want to act as attorney. Useful guidance for family and can prompt you to create an LPA while you have capacity.
🔵 Recommended
Document Date
Date when documents are signed. Essential for establishing when the ADRT was made, which affects validity if circumstances have changed. More recent documents generally take precedence.
🔴 Critical
Review Date Set
Date for next review of documents. Recommended: annually or after significant health changes, new diagnosis, change in relationships, or change in treatment options. Regular review ensures documents remain current.
🟡 Important
Capacity Declaration
Declaration that you are 18+ years old, have mental capacity to make these decisions, and are making them voluntarily without pressure. Essential for ADRT validity under Mental Capacity Act 2005.
🔴 Critical
Understanding of Implications
Declaration that you understand the implications of refusing treatment, particularly that refusing life-sustaining treatment may result in your death. Required for valid ADRT refusing life-sustaining treatment.
🔴 Critical
Your Signature
Your signature on all documents. For ADRT refusing life-sustaining treatment, signature is legally required under Mental Capacity Act 2005. Sign in permanent ink (black or blue).
🔴 Critical
Witness Signature (for ADRT)
Independent witness signature for ADRT refusing life-sustaining treatment. Witness must be present when you sign. They confirm you signed voluntarily and appeared to have capacity. Any adult can witness except beneficiaries.
🔴 Critical
Witness Details
Full name and address of witness. Required so witness can be contacted if ADRT is challenged. Witness should be traceable if questions arise about validity of your signature or capacity.
🔴 Critical
Healthcare Professional Witness (Optional)
Consider having GP or other healthcare professional witness your signature. Not legally required but adds credibility and provides professional verification of your capacity at time of signing.
🔵 Recommended
Original Stored Safely
Original signed documents stored in a safe, accessible location. Consider: home safe, with solicitor, with GP. Location must be known to family/attorneys and accessible in emergencies.
🔴 Critical
GP Copy Provided
Copy given to your GP for inclusion in your medical records. Critical for ensuring documents are accessible to healthcare providers in emergencies. Ask GP to confirm receipt and upload to your electronic records.
🔴 Critical
Family/Attorney Copies
Copies given to family members, emergency contacts, and attorneys (if LPA exists). They should know where documents are stored and be prepared to provide copies to healthcare providers in emergencies.
🔴 Critical
Carry Card/Alert
Consider carrying a card or wearing a medical alert indicating you have an ADRT and where it can be found. Alerts emergency responders that they should check for advance care documents before providing treatment.
🔵 Recommended
Family Discussion
Discussion of your wishes with family members and emergency contacts. Ensures they understand and can advocate for your wishes. Reduces family conflict and emotional burden during difficult decisions.
🟡 Important
Healthcare Provider Discussion
Discussion of your documents with GP or relevant healthcare providers. They can explain medical implications, ensure documents are medically realistic, and record your wishes in your medical notes.
🟡 Important
Regular Review Commitment
Commitment to review documents regularly: at least annually, after major health changes, after new diagnoses, or if your wishes change. Outdated documents may not be followed if circumstances have clearly changed.
🟡 Important
⚡
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You've Done the Research. Now Finish It.
Complete advance care planning pack — all clauses included, professionally drafted.
Fill in your details in minutes and you're done.
£22 — Own It Forever
Create Your Advance Care Plan Now
→
✅ 30-day money-back guarantee*
Preview before you buy • Lifetime updates • No subscription
Next Steps
Now that you've reviewed the compliance checklist, you have two options:
✅ Use Our Ready-Made Template Pack
Create your advance care planning documents with our professionally drafted template pack. Covers all 57 compliance points including ADRT, Advance Statement, Mental Health Statement, and LPA guidance — all compliant with Mental Capacity Act 2005. Available in both Smart Interview (guided) and Classic Editor (direct editing) modes for just £22. Preview the full template with watermark before you buy. Get the template pack →
📝 Draft Your Own Documents
Use this checklist as your guide, but remember: ADRT documents require precise legal language to be valid, especially for life-sustaining treatment refusals. Missing the required "even if life is at risk" declaration or proper witnessing can render your entire ADRT unenforceable when you need it most.
🔗
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
General information about advance care planning in England & Wales
What is the difference between an ADRT and an Advance Statement?
An ADRT (Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment) is legally binding — healthcare professionals must follow it if valid and applicable. An Advance Statement records your wishes and preferences but is NOT legally binding, though healthcare professionals must consider it when making decisions.
Do I need a witness for my ADRT?
If your ADRT refuses life-sustaining treatment, it MUST be signed and witnessed to be valid. Any adult can witness. For other treatments, witnessing is strongly recommended but not strictly required. Having your GP witness adds credibility.
What is the "even if life is at risk" statement?
For an ADRT refusing life-sustaining treatment to be valid under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, you must include a statement that the decision applies "even if life is at risk". Without this specific wording, healthcare professionals are not legally bound to follow your refusal.
Does an LPA override my ADRT?
A valid ADRT takes precedence over a Health and Welfare LPA for the specific treatments it covers. Your attorney cannot consent to treatment you have validly refused. However, an LPA created AFTER an ADRT may override it unless stated otherwise.
How often should I review my advance care documents?
Review at least annually, or after: new medical diagnoses, changes in treatment options, changes in personal circumstances, or if your wishes change. Outdated documents may not be followed if circumstances have clearly changed since you made them.
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Disclaimer: This checklist is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to keep information accurate and up to date, the law is complex and subject to change. Every situation is unique. Last updated: May 2026.
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