More people in Otago can now be assured health providers will know what their health care wishes are at times where they are unable to speak for themselves, often at the end of their lives.

In February 2024, WellSouth, the primary health organisation (PHO) for Otago and Southland, changed the way it funds general practices to support patients writing and recording Advance Care Plans (ACPs).

WellSouth has created a funding stream for practices to claim for processing ACPs, alongside offering training and support via two dedicated WellSouth shared care plan coordinators (Helen Sawyer and Michelle Anderson). 

The funding means that anyone 60 years and over, or people of any age who are Māori, Pasifika or who are former refugees are eligible for a free ACP consultation. General practices can identify these people and contact them to start talking about advance care planning.

Since ACP consultations became funded by WellSouth in February 2024, 36 general practices have created 154 ACPs, well above previous years.

Helen said creating an ACP “involves thinking and talking about your values and goals and what your preferences are for your current and future health care”.

“An advance care plan speaks for you often because you can no longer speak for yourself,” she said.

“However, while these plans are important, clinicians often have limited time, and feedback to WellSouth from practices was that ACPs, done well, take time to complete and upload. The funding for ACPs is in recognition of this feedback, acknowledging the time and effort to complete these plans with patients,” she said. 

People can discuss their wishes with a GP, practice nurse, health improvement practitioner or health coach at their general practice. Plans are signed off by a GP or nurse at the practice the patient is enrolled at.

Helen or Michelle review the ACPs to ensure they are medically interpretable across the spectrum of healthcare provision. 

“These plans are important to a person and their family. They should be in a person’s life kit with wills and insurance policies, and we encourage anyone to have an ACP conversation with those they love, and to contact your general practice to ask for an appointment,” Helen said.

PHOTO: Supplied