At the start of the pandemic, in 2020 NHS England and the Care Quality Commission issued warnings to doctors over the use of blanket DNACPR orders as concern mounted over high numbers of deaths. Since then more examples have come to light including the continued use of orders in people with learning disabilities.
Under UK law, a do-not-resuscitate decision is one made by clinicians and does not require consent but after a High Court case in 2014 clinicians are required to consult the patient or their families, except in limited circumstances. A decision not to resuscitate a patient must be an individual one and not a blanket approach.
The NHS has repeatedly said a learning disability on its own does not justify use of a DNACPR order and that treating one as such could be a breach of human rights.
www.independent.co.uk
Under UK law, a do-not-resuscitate decision is one made by clinicians and does not require consent but after a High Court case in 2014 clinicians are required to consult the patient or their families, except in limited circumstances. A decision not to resuscitate a patient must be an individual one and not a blanket approach.
The NHS has repeatedly said a learning disability on its own does not justify use of a DNACPR order and that treating one as such could be a breach of human rights.
Misuse of do-not-resuscitate orders risks undermining care, warn leading clinicians
Care Quality Commission review of use of do-not-resuscitate decisions expected within weeks
