Your health

Take some time to think about what matters to you and who matters to you.

Everyone is unique and has their own ideas about what they would like. However there might be things you’ve never considered like where you would prefer to receive treatment, or what treatments you would or would not want. Talk to people involved in your care and ask them to explain all the options that are available so that you can make an informed choice.

Let them know that you think this is really important and you want to have this conversation. Often we don’t talk about these topics because we think it will be upsetting for everyone involved, but these conversations give people the opportunity to learn more about each other which many people appreciate. It is also reassuring for people to know what your wishes are so that if they need to, they can make decisions that match these.

You don’t need to make a formal plan right away but it can be helpful to take some notes while you think about these topics. You can then use these notes when it comes to filling out the proper documentation.

Everyone has the right to change their mind. Situations can change and what matters to you might change to reflect what is going on in your life. It is important to revisit these conversations with the people that matter to you and any health care staff involved in your care so that everyone is aware of any changes in your wishes. These can then be updated in the documentation.

When plans are being made, it is important that everyone is given a chance to express their views so that we can make shared decisions and find the best option for you.

The BRAN Questions can be a useful way to check that you have all the information you need to make an informed choice about different treatments or plans. These are four questions that ask about the benefits, risks and alternatives of treatment, as well as what would happen if we did nothing.

B – What are the Benefits of this test or procedure?
R – What are the Risks of this test or procedure?
A – Are there any Alternatives?
N – What if I do Nothing?

When you are talking to any professional about different options, don’t be afraid to ask these questions – we are more than happy to talk about all of these with you!

Visit the NHS Inform: It’s Ok to Ask website for more information.

What is a Future Care Plan?

Future Care Planning is about thinking ahead and understanding your health. It’s about knowing how to use services better and it helps you make choices about your future care.

This is a process and should involve ongoing conversations between you, the people that matter to you and the health care professionals involved in your care.

We will discuss what is important to you and what living well means to you. We will discuss what treatments you would like and which treatments you would not like. We will also discuss where you would prefer to have this treatment. We might discuss end of life care with you. By talking about all of these things we can all work together to make individual treatment plans that respect your wishes.

We can record the decisions made during these conversations in a Future Care Plan.

Here is a short video explaining all about Future Care Planning.

Why should I have a Future Care Plan?

Having a record of your wishes can help in many ways.

It can help you think about what is important to you and give you an opportunity to share this information with the people who matter to you.

It can help the people who matter to you understand your wishes. This means that if they have to make decisions on your behalf, they can be confident that they are making the same choice as you would. If they are your welfare Power of Attorney, they may be legally responsible for making these decisions if you lack capacity. If you do not have a Power of Attorney they can still speak with members of your health care team to let them know what you would want, however your health care team have legal responsibility to make these decisions. 

It can help your health care team understand what is important to you so that they can work with you to make treatment plans that respect your wishes. If you no longer have capacity to make these decisions, then your health care team can use your Future Care Plan to make decisions that best reflect your wishes. 

It can help everyone by giving them an opportunity to have open and honest conversations with each other. It gives you and the people that matter to you and opportunity to ask any questions you may have. It also gives your health care team the opportunity to make sure that you understand what is happening with your care and work with you to make appropriate decisions.

What goes in a Future Care Plan?

Future Care Planning Conversations can cover a range of topics. We can use the word “DISCUSS” to help everyone remember the different topics that are part of Future Care Planning.

It might not be appropriate to talk about all these things at once, and there might be some things that we never get to speak about. That is okay. Everyone can go at their own pace, and we will never force people to have a conversation they are uncomfortable with.

You do not need to speak about these topics in a particular order, so if it helps, you can start off with easier conversations and work your way up to the bigger issues.

How can I get a Future Care Plan?

Everyone has the right to a Future Care Plan.

Future Care Plans are not legally binding and there is not one way to record these decisions. The most important part of the Future Care Planning process is having the conversations; however it makes things a lot easier if any decisions made in these conversations are written down. This means that everyone can refer back to the document if they have to make decisions in future.

There are lots of different documents that can help you think about what is important and give you space to record the decisions you make. Here are some examples:

Documents to Help You Plan

How can I share my Future Care Plan with others?

Start off by thinking about what matters to you and writing these thoughts down. Above you will find some example of tools which can help.

Now you need to share these with everyone who needs to know about your wishes.

If you already have health care teams working with you, they may have their own documents which they use to record summaries of these decisions. Speak to them and let them know you would like to talk about Future Care Planning. You can share any plans you have created with them and they can record the key information on their systems.

Even if you don’t have a health care team working with you, we still think it would be a good idea to write down your wishes.  You can share these plans with anyone you would like to know this information. For example we would encourage you to speak to your GP to let them know any decisions you have made and ask them to update your file to reflect your wishes.

What is the difference between making a Future Care Plan and a discussion about CPR?

A Future Care Plan contains lots of different information. It will record what matters to you – who is important to you, where you would prefer to receive treatment if possible, and what treatment you would like or treatment you would not like. This information helps us to work with you to make any treatment plans, at any stage of your life.

It may also contain information about end of life care. This is an important part of the document as it will help us work with you to make appropriate treatment plans at the end of your life. We will talk to you about where you would prefer to be treated at the end of your life, who you would like to be with you and your thoughts about what treatments you would like or not like.

We may also talk about what you prefer to happen if your heart stops. Sometimes it may be appropriate to try CPR to try and restart your heart. However this process has its own risks and does not work very often. We might talk to you about completing a DNACPR form – this stands for “do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation”.  If a DNACPR is in place this means that if your heart stops, health care professionals will not attempt to restart it. It does not mean that you would not receive other treatment or that we cannot provide care to make you as comfortable as possible.

A CPR conversation is a very small part of the Future Care Planning process, however it gives you and the people that matter to you a chance to talk about your wishes and ask the health care staff involved in your care any questions you might have. It also makes sure that everyone is aware of decisions that have been made.

Scottish Government have also produced a leaflet to tell you more about CPR.

How much does a Future Care Plan cost?

Future Care Plans do not cost any money. All you need to do is have a conversation with those that matter to you and make a record of your wishes. You should then speak to any health care professional involved in your care so they can make sure the key information is store in their records and shared with colleagues.

Unexpected things can happen every day. Having a plan for what to do in an emergency situation can help reduce stress and anxiety.

What do I need to think about?

These plans usually focus on what would happen in an emergency situation e.g. if someone was unexpectedly admitted to hospital. Some things that people might want to think about:

• If you care for someone, who will provide this care when you are unavailable? Will you require extra support from Social Work?
• If you have children is there someone who can stay with them?
• If you have any pets is there someone who can look after them?
• Does someone have a spare key to get into your house if you need something from there?

Why should I think about these things?

Having a plan in place can reduce the stress for everyone – the person, their friends, family members and carers. It means that everyone knows what is expected of them, and they can ask for help if they need it.

How do I make a plan?

Just like a Future Care Plan, planning for unexpected events begins with a conversation. You should talk to the people that matter to you and those you are responsible for. You should then make a record of these decisions and give everyone involved a copy. 

This plan is not legally binding and can be updated at any time to reflect changes in your thinking or circumstances.

A Tool to Help You Plan

Carers Link East Dunbartonshire have created a great tool to help you make an plan. 

Once completed they will email you a copy of the document and provide a link so that you can update it at any time. You can print off a copy or forward it to any of your emergency contacts so that everyone has the information they need. 

Not sure what goes in an plan? We have made an example plan for you to look at.

How much does it cost to make a plan?

Making a plan does not cost anything. All you need to do is talk with the people that matter to you and make an agreement as to what should happen if something unexpected happens. It would be useful to record what agreements are in place so that everyone understand what they have to do and can have a copy of the information they need.

Being in hospital can be stressful for everyone, especially if someone ends up being in hospital for longer than expected.

Before someone can leave hospital, we need to know that they will be going somewhere they will be safe and they can continue to receive any care they need. This might mean going back home, but having someone stay with them while they recover, or it might mean that we need to talk about alternatives like residential or nursing homes.

For other people, they might be able to live safely on their own, but we need to make a plan to get them there. Maybe we need to ask someone to pick them up, or arrange transport for them.

It can be really helpful if friends and families have already had conversations about how they could support each other if someone was being discharged from hospital. That is why we have made the Plan More, Stress Less toolkit which includes A Plan to Get You Home which people can fill out ahead of time so that everyone knows what the plan if someone is being discharged.

Another important thing to think about when it comes to hospital discharge is Power of Attorney (POA). Having a POA in place can make the discharge process smoother and quicker because soemone is able to make decisions on your behalf. Read more about POA on the webpages.

A carer is someone who provides support for a friend, relative or neighbour who could not manage without them. If you think you might be a carer then you should contact your local carer services to find out how they can support you.

There are dedicated carer information pages on our website as well.

What is a Carer Support Plan?

Under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, unpaid carers have the right for their needs to be considered separately from those they provide care to. This means that the NHS and HSCPs need to take into account the impact that caring has on you and support you as best they can to help you continue to care if you chose to do so.

A Carer Support Plan identifies what support you need. It is created by identifying what matters to you and what you think will help you to continue to care for someone – these are sometimes called the “outcomes”.

Why should I have a Carer Support Plan?

To look after others, you also need to look after yourself. Having a Carer Support Plan gives you the opportunity to think about what is important to you.

Having a plan allows everyone to easily identify the support that is required to help you meet your desired outcomes. You can continue to build on this plan to reflect the changing needs to help you continue to care.

How can I get a Carer Support Plan?

The easiest way to get a Carer Support Plan is to contact your local carers centre. They will arrange for you to speak with one of the team to talk about what is important to you and how you can best be supported.

To contact your local carer services – find contact detail of your local services.

How much does a Carer Support Plan cost?

A Carer Support Plan is free. All you have to do is contact your local carer support services and they will help you make the plan. To find out where your local services are – find contact detail of your local services.

What is a Will?

A Will is a legal document which gives instructions on what should happen to your money, possessions and property (all these things together are called your “estate”) after you have died. 

It will also identify someone as your “executor” – this is the person who is responsible for following the instructions in the Will and organising your estate.  You can have more than one executor. 

You can also write a Letter of Wishes to go alongside your Will. This is not legally binding but it can help your executor know what you would like to happen e.g. if you would prefer to be buried or cremated. It might also explain why you have decided to have certain things included in your Will.

Why should I have a Will?

If you don’t leave a Will the law decides how your money, possessions and property are passed on. This might be different from how you would like it to be distributed.

It can also take more time for everything to be sorted out which can be stressful for your friends and family.

How can I get a Will?

There are three main options to choose from:

• Use a solicitor
• Use a will writing service
• Do it yourself 

The Money Advice Service has information to help you decide how best to write a Will. 

You need to have mental capacity to write a Will so it is better to think about these things as soon as possible. If your circumstances change you can change your Will so long as you still have capacity.

Is a Will and a Power of Attorney the same thing?

No. A Power of Attorney grants someone the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf while you are alive. For more information visit the My Power of Attorney Website. 

A Will is a document which gives instructions on what should happen to your estate once you die. A Will is only activated once you die.

How much does a Will cost?

There will generally be a cost involved in making a Will, however it depends on how you make it.

Some people may be eligible for legal aid to help with costs or some solicitors will waive their usual fees at certain times of the year when you donate to charity.

For more information visit the Money Advice Service website or Citizen’s Advice Scotland website. 

What happens when someone is dying?

If you are supporting someone who is dying it can be helpful to know a little bit more about the process and how you can help. NHSGGC have created a leaflet which has lots of information in it. It is called “What Can Happen When Someone Is Dying”. It is also available in other languages on the NHSGGC Bereavement Pages. 

The Art of Dying Well website also has useful things to think about. It gives some suggestions of things to think about in order to make the most of the time you have together.

Not everyone will die in hospital. People may be in care homes, hospices or their own home. If someone has an Anticipatory Care Plan it may include where someone would prefer to receive end of life care. It is not always possible for someone to be in that place, however we will all work together to make a plan to make everyone as comfortable as possible.

What happens after someone dies?

People can sometime feel overwhelmed by the amount of things they have to think about when someone dies. There is support and advice available to help you.

Some practical arrangements have changed because of COVID-19. For the latest information please visit the NHSGGC Bereavement Information pages.

There are no “right answers” when it comes to planning a funeral. Some people may want to make arrangements before they die, but others might be happy for their friends and family to make these decisions. 

You can write a Letter of Wishes to go alongside your Will which will explain what you would like to happen. The Scottish Government have also produced a booklet called “Planning Your Own Funeral” which you might find useful. 

If you are arranging a funeral for someone who has died you can find information through Citizens Advice Scotland website.

How much will a funeral cost?

The cost of a funeral can vary.

Some people choose to pay for their funeral while they are alive. This is called a funeral plan. If you are not sure if there is a funeral plan you can

• Check the Will or Letter of Wishes
• Ask the person’s close friends and relatives
• Ask local funeral directors
• Search for funeral plans on the Funeral Planning Authority’s website                                                                                                          

You may be able to get help with the cost of the funeral. 

From the 26th March 2021, the law about organ donation is changing. Under the new “opt out system”, if all adults aged 16 years and over have not confirmed whether they want to be a donor, they will be considered to be willing to donate their organs and tissue when they die, unless they choose to opt out. 

You can still choose whether or not you want to be an organ and tissue donor by registering your decision and telling your family. Your faith, beliefs and culture will always be respected.

We are encouraging everyone to have these conversations with friends and family so that everyone knows each other’s wishes.

You can find out more about organ donation from Organ Donation Scotland. You can also register your decision on the website as well.

You can find out more about tissue donation from Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service website.

You can also watch a recorded webinar about Organ Donation which was recorded in May 2025.

Physical activity is simply any kind of activity or movement that we do in our day-to-day lives. It includes a whole range of activities from structured sport and exercise programmes, to dance, housework, gardening and things like walking around the shops. You don’t need to run a marathon or be a sports star to get the benefits of an active lifestyle; any activity which makes you breathe a bit faster, feel a bit warmer and raises your heart rate can help you to lead a healthier and happier life.

Being physically active is one of the most important things you can do for your health and wellbeing.  Even if you’ve not thought of getting active before, there are lots of reasons why you should get actve now:

• It can be fun!
• It helps you manage stress and gives you the feel good factor
• It can help you maintain your independence, keep your mind active and improve your social life
• It prevents and manages a range of medical conditions and diseases
• It can help you live a longer & healthier life
• It improves your quality of sleep
• It can help you maintain a healthy weight
• You can learn new skills
• It can give you more energy

Most people are more likely to stay active, if they choose activities they enjoy and that fits easily into their lifestyle. We have a range of options for you to choose from which can support you in becoming more active.

This popular video “23 and 1/2 hours” by Dr Mike Evans, with over 5 million views on YouTube, talks about the many benefits of being more active in an engaging and informative way:

• Build up to being active for 150 minutes spread across the week (for example 30minutes on 5 days of the week) but remember something is better than nothing.  Try to be active daily, start small and build up gradually – just 10 minutes at a time provides benefits.
• Try to move more often and break up the time that you spend sitting down when you can.
• Take part in activities which make your muscles, joints and bones strong twice per week.  This could be anything which uses your body weight, added weights or resistance, e.g. yoga, carrying groceries, gardening or exercising with weights

Some inspirational stories from people who have participated in our physical activity and weight management programmes.

Physical Activity

Weight Management

If you’re not currently being active, unsure where to begin and would like support getting started, then Live Active is for you!  

Please take a look at the following clip which shows you what Live Active is all about. You can also read testimonials from other Live Active service users.

Through the support of our highly trained and qualified Live Active Advisors, we’ll help you build the confidence you need to make positive lifestyle changes. We’ll work with you to develop a support package, provide you with one-to-one catch-ups, supported activity sessions and encourage you to set goals, which will leave you feeling great and ensure you’re getting the most out of life. 

Please Note – A referral from your health professional is required for you to attend Live Active. This is necessary as it gives the Live Active Advisors all the information that they need to best support you. The referral form will be sent to a Live Active Advisor at the Leisure Centre you wish to attend. Live Active operates within the main Leisure Centres across Greater Glasgow and Clyde. 

Live Active Support

Once your referral is made you will be assigned a dedicated Live Active Advisor who is there every step of the way to help and support you to become more active. The Live Active Advisor will receive your referral from the health professional, and they will give you a call to book in your first appointment. The first appointment will last about an hour and is a great opportunity to meet your Live Active Advisor and have a chat about what you would like to do. You will work together to agree an achievable goal and a plan to help you succeed. Your Advisor will also show you around the centre, so you know where everything is and make sure you have everything you need to get started. 

Whether it’s increasing physical activity, healthy eating/weight loss or simply living a more positive lifestyle, our Live Active advisors are with you every step of the way. During the Live Active programme, you’ll be given access to various activities such as Vitality classes, supervised gym sessions, swimming, health walks and many more (fees apply for some supported activities). 

The Live Active team will be in touch regularly for up to 12months (either by face-to-face catch ups or over the phone) to see how you are getting on. The advisors also provide supervised activity sessions* in the gym during the week so that you know they are there on hand if you need them with your gym programme. 

If your health professional has already referred you and you haven’t heard anything within 2 weeks then please call 0141 232 1860 and select Live Active to book in for your first appointment.  

Cost

The one-to-one support from the Live Active Advisor is free. You will have to pay for the additional activities you choose to take part in. Costs vary and your advisor can give you more details about these.  

What’s next

If you would like to take part in Live Active, then please speak to your health professional who will complete a referral form on your behalf and make the arrangements to book you in for you free consultation. 

Or if you have already been referred but still waiting to hear from the Live Active team please call 0141 232 1860 and select the Live Active option to speak to an Advisor who will be able to book you in for your first appointment. 

Data collection and privacy 

The data collected is done so in line with our privacy notice for patients. Please read our data protection and privacy information in full before signing a referral form. The privacy notice sets out the legal basis for processing this data, how long we will keep your data for, how we protect your personal information, and your rights in relation to the personal data that we hold on you.

For more information about Live Active within your local area please visit your Local Authority website:

Glasgow Life

East Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust

West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust

East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure

Renfrewshire Leisure Trust

Inverclyde Leisure

Vitality exercise classes are specially designed for people living with a range of medical conditions, such as; Parkinson’s disease, MS, Stroke, Cardiac Conditions, Osteoporosis, Cognitive impairments and COPD.  Vitality is also ideal for those of you who have a fear of falling or find your strength and balance is starting to impact on your daily lives. 

Our supportive instructors will improve your confidence to join in, get active and lead a fuller, more independent life.  

Please take a look at the following clip which shows you what Vitality exercise classes are all about.

We will help you choose a Vitality class that best suits your needs, making sure you are safe, comfortable and above all else having fun. Before you know it, you’ll be joining in, having a laugh and really feeling the difference. 

There are over one hundred classes per week in various Leisure Centres and Community Centres throughout Greater Glasgow and Clyde and classes last for approximately 60 minutes. 

Cost

Costs varies depending on Local Authority – when you call 0141 232 1860 they will be able to inform you of the exact costs.    

Where and when?

If you would like to find a Vitality Class near you all you need to do is call 0141 232 1860 and select the Vitality option or click the button below to find your nearest class:   

What’s next?

If you would like to come along to a Vitality Class all you need to do is call 0141 232 1860 and select the Vitality option. Here they will be able to advise you to which class is best, inform you of the days and times of when they are on and book you in (if need be) for your first session.  

All we ask is that you attend your first class 10-15 minutes before it starts so you can meet the instructor and discuss your specific needs. 

For more information about Vitality within your local area please visit our Local Authority website: 

Glasgow Life

East Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust

West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust

East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure

Renfrewshire Leisure Trust

Inverclyde Leisure

Everyone can take part in our walks. They’re easy, you don’t need fancy equipment and they won’t cost you a penny. 

Health walks are a great way of meeting people whilst getting out and taking in the sights of your local parks and gardens. They’re fun and a great first step to becoming more active. Our trained Walk leaders are on hand to make sure you go at a pace you are comfortable with.

Walks usually last up to 1 hour and with over 75 walks taking place each week there’s bound to be one to suit you. 

Take the first steps to becoming more active!  

Please take a look at the following clip which shows you what our health walks are all about

What’s next

There’s no need to book a place, simply call 0141 232 1860 and select the Walking option to find out more about your nearest walk.

OR

You can also visit your Local Authority or partner organisation website to find out more about health walks in your area:

Glasgow Life –  Good Move Walking

East Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust  

West Dunbartonshire

East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure

Renfrewshire Leisure Trust

Inverclyde

In addition to our NHS activities mentioned above, our six Local Authority partners have a range of general physical activity opportunities available such as gym facilities, swimming and a range of exercise classes.  There’s literally something for everyone. 

Cost

Costs vary depending on activity and local authority area.  For more information please just call 0141 232 1860 and select General Physical Activity Opportunities.  

What’s next

If you would like to know what other activities are on in your local area either click on the relevant local authority area below which will take you to their website or call 0141 232 1860 and select General Physical Activity Opportunities to have a chat with someone. 

You can also find out more about local physical activity opportunities by visiting your Local Authority website:

Glasgow Life

East Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust

West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust

East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure

Renfrewshire Leisure Trust

Inverclyde Leisure (See also the Lyle Gateway Facebook page )