Advance Choice Document (ACD)

An Advance Choice Document (ACD) helps you tell people how you would like to be cared for if you become unwell in the future. You create it when you are feeling well so your wishes are known if you have difficulties later on.

Anyone who has been admitted to a ward under mental health section can ask for an ACD to be completed.

How an ACD can help

Having a mental health crisis is very traumatic for lots of reasons and people find it very difficult to think that they might become ill again. This is understandable and though the best outcome would be that no one has to use their ACD people have found that making an ACD has helped them to think about what helped and what hindered their recovery. An Advance Choice Document is a written record of your wishes and preferences about future mental health care and treatment. An ACD can help healthcare professionals, family members and carers understand what matters to you and how best to support you during a mental health crisis. 

What can I include in my ACD?

Reflecting on my previous experiences, I can think about what should happen if I experience a crisis. The ACD template will allow me to add things like: 

  • What helps me feel better (and what doesn’t help) 
  • Treatments and medications that I prefer or want to avoid 
    Important information about me as a person (e.g. my identity, culture, beliefs) 
  • People who I want staff to contact (family, friends, carers) 
  • Things that are important to me when you’re unwell (e.g. my routines, quiet time) 

How do I complete my ACD

  • The facilitator will arrange a time for the meeting. I can discuss the ACD with my facilitator and complete some sections of the ACD in advance.
  • During the meeting, we discuss different aspects of the ACD and reach and an agreement but. If we disagree, we can also record differing views. It’s a good opportunity to talk things through.
  • The ACD is saved in my electronic health record so staff can see it, when there is a need for it. 
  • I can keep a copy of my ACD and can share it with people that I trust
  • I can update or review my ACD at any time. It might be if my personal circumstances change, or after a crisis, or if care arrangements change

Contacting the ACD team

To find out more about making an Advance Choice Document speak to your care co-ordinator, doctor or anyone else involved in your care. You can also email the ACD team mailbox here: ACD@slam.nhs.uk