As a patient deteriorates, it is important to consider and address the potential of a patient requiring end of life care. In some clinical situations, either in the community or in a hospital situation some patients may not be able to survive the threat to their life.

Within the pre hospital setting , the involvement of the patients General Practitioner (GP) is essential if decisions about the patients care are going to be addressed. www.nhs.uk (Links to an external site.) offers guidance to both carers and patients about their end of life care and wishes.

Advance statements may be made with the assistance of the patient GP concerning end of life requests. These documents assist pre hospital health care workers to know the patient's end of life wishes and act appropriately and timely if a patient deteriorates.

Advance decisions concerning a patient's wish to refuse treatments, such as cardio pulmonary resuscitation or ventilation must be addressed and documented, signed by the patient and witnessed before patient treatments can be halted. Pre hospital care workers are educated to look for such documents when arriving to deliver care to a patient . These advance decision documents are legally binding documents and enable the patient an opportunity to to have their wishes facilitated when their condition deteriorates.