Publish date: 6 May 2025
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A free-to-use digital end-of-life planning platform has been rolled out in Lancashire and South Cumbria. A localised version of the MyWishes website has been launched in the region as part of Dying Matters Awareness Week (Monday 5 May to Sunday 11) thanks to NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) in a drive to improve advance care planning. The website empowers residents to make plans for their future health and social care, and supports them to communicate these with those important to them. It facilitates will writing and documentation of their wishes for their possessions and digital accounts when they die. It can also be used to document and share advance care decisions and end-of-life choices. Dr Lindsey Dickinson, an associate medical director at the ICB, is the senior responsible officer for commissioning high quality palliative and end of life care for people in Lancashire and South Cumbria. She said: “Not everyone knows or has given thought to what will happen to them at the end of their life, but by planning these important choices in advance, it can support people to have the end to their life that they planned for and removes some of the pressure that falls onto their families after they die. “MyWishes is free and really easy to access, and is supported by local charities. It simply allows people to consider their options and choices while they are able to do so, and before they lose the capacity to consider them.” Nationally, the Care Quality Commission has highlighted the need for a consistent approach to advance care planning, and MyWishes was identified by the local health and social care professionals as a practical solution. Via the platform, residents can share care plans for their health and social care preferences, and document what they’d like to happen with both their physical property and their digital content when they die. They can also document their funeral wishes, write or record a self-authored obituary, make necessary plans and leave goodbye messages to family and friends in the event of their death. Dr Dickinson added: “Making end-of-life plans may not be an easy subject to approach, but by offering this platform for free, we can make it as easy as possible. “You can plan as much or as little as you feel comfortable with, and any documents created can be printed off to keep at home and shared with loved ones and health and social care professionals who may be involved in your care plan. “We would encourage anyone of any age to take a look at the website and share any plans that they feel their family or carers would need to be aware of.” To access MyWishes and find out more, visit www.mywishes.co.uk
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