Yes.

ReSPECT stands for Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment. What is a ReSPECT form? It is a form that puts limits on your care (including cardiac resuscitation if your heart stops, or if you should got to ICU if you deteriorate).

It should be discussed with you (and/or your family if you are not able to) before it is agreed. It is your right to know whether you have one and read it. The decisions can be reversed if your health improves. You can ask for that to happen. You can do this my asking to see your hospital consultant.

If you are not happy with his/her opinion, ask to see the ‘head of department’ (most senior doctor in that department). If you still disagree, contact the PALS team in your hospital.

In some areas of the UK, there is a combined community and hospital ReSPECT form. Again, it is your right to ask if there is one about you, and reverse it, if things change (eg your health improves).