An Emergency Healthcare Plan (EHP) is a brief document containing the key information about a child or young person's condition. In the event of an emergency situation, having an EHP can make communication easier and ensure that a child or young person:
For some children and young people with long term or complex health conditions, health professionals having the right information in an emergency can be life saving.
Here is an example of what a form for an EHP should look like.
We have developed a series of role play film clips to support you in conversations you may have with parents of children for whom you feel would benefit from an EHP.
A specialist community children’s nurse discusses the importance of being clear with families on the prognosis for their child and preparing them for all outcomes.
A consultant in paediatric emergency medicine and a consultant general paediatrician talk about why EHP plans are important for them.
A nurse discusses the possibility of having an EHP with a girl who has cystic fibrosis and her parents. The discussion continues with input from 2 consultants, giving the family the opportunity to ask questions about how EHP's work.
Discussion between a consultant and the parents of a child with leukaemia on getting the EHP signed off, and answering any questions they have.
Discussion between Paediatric Neurodisability consultant, a community nurse and the parents of a baby who has recently been diagnosed with leukodystrophy. They discuss training to help the parents manage their daughter's condition, and the possibility of implementing an EHP for when she leaves hospital.
A meeting between a consultant and the parents of a baby with leukodystrophy to discuss preparations for leaving hospital including: next steps, training and the implementation of an EHP.
A consultant and a community nurse give guidance to the parents of a baby with leukodystrophy whose condition has deteriorated, explaining and giving examples of what would be included in an EHP.
A consultant informs parents that tests indicate that their son's condition is likely to deteriorate and discusses some of the different sources of support that are available to the parents.
A consultant discusses with parents the deteriorating condition of their son. The consultant suggests redrafting the EHP so that if the child gets seriously ill, basic life support will be administered until the most senior doctor is available to discuss options with the parents and they can then decide where to go from there, depending on the situation.
Discussion between a consultant and the parents of a child whose condition has continued to deteriorate. They discuss changing the wording of the emergency plan so that the child can have a natural death, and ways that medicines can be administered to target his symptoms and make him as comfortable as possible.