If some day you are no longer able to look after your own health and welfare (i.e. your social and healthcare needs), a lasting power of attorney will give that power to another person, called your 'attorney'. Once the power comes into effect, your attorney (or attorneys) will have the legal authority to act on your behalf in matters relating to your health and welfare, subject to any restrictions you place on them. Your attorney(s) will only be able to act when you lack the capacity to do so yourself, for example, if you are ill, unconscious or because of the onset of a condition such as dementia.

You will need to register your LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian, who will charge a fee for this. It is usually a good idea to do this straight away or soon after, and if you do then you will only need the first of the 2 documents in this pack: 'LP1H Lasting power of attorney for health and welfare'. If however you want to delay registering it, you will also need to use the second document when you eventually want to register: 'LP1H Registration sections'.

In either case, you may also need form 'LP3 Notice of intention to register a lasting power of attorney', which is available separately.

These documents can only be used in England or Wales.