Advance decisions and treatment planning is a process of formal decision making which is put in place to help patients establish decisions about their future treatment should they lose capacity to make decisions for themselves.

It is a voluntary process where patient wishes are recorded so that they can be referred to by health and care professionals at any point in the future. Advance treatment planning is important in identifying early palliative treatment needs and recognising end of life possibilities. It also helps families prepare for the death of a loved one, resolve family conflict, and cope with bereavement.