Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) has launched a free, national e-learning course to help healthcare professionals confidently use the Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT).
Developed in response to growing demand for consistent, high-quality training, the course equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to apply the ReSPECT process effectively in clinical practice. It replaces outdated or variable local resources and promotes a unified, person-centred approach to emergency care and treatment planning across the UK.
Raising the standard for ReSPECT education
The ReSPECT process supports person-centred, timely conversations between people and healthcare professionals about future emergency care and treatment recommendations. This new course sets a national standard for how ReSPECT should be understood and applied in practice.
It’s designed for healthcare professionals who read and follow plans in their roles, as well as those responsible for guiding ReSPECT conversations and writing plans. This includes staff working in hospitals, care homes, and primary care. The resource is built with accessibility, equality, and inclusion at its core.
Grounded in clinical experience
The course content was developed with input from a wide range of subject matter experts, ensuring its content is accurate, relevant and rooted in real clinical experience of how the ReSPECT process is used across the UK.
Adam Benson Clarke, Director of Clinical & Service Development at RCUK, said: “We know how vital the ReSPECT process is in making sure patients receive care that reflects their needs and values. This new course will give healthcare professionals the confidence to have meaningful, person-centred conversations and make informed decisions in emergency situations. It also ensures we deliver a consistent national message about how ReSPECT should be used.”
Course highlights
- Consists of three interactive and informative modules
- Covers use of ReSPECT across a range of care settings and age groups
- Certificate of completion provided
- Allows learners to reflect and feedback about their learning experience
- Inclusive design with built-in accessibility features
Learners are encouraged to complete this course as a foundation, followed by local or organisation-specific training to understand how ReSPECT is implemented in their setting.
Accessible across the UK
To support best practice in the use of ReSPECT across the UK, the ReSPECT Essentials e-learning course has been made free for learners to access through the NHS Learning Hub.