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Written question asked by Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 April 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 May 2021. It was answered by Lord Bethell (Conservative) on Monday, 26 April 2021 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

DNACPR Decisions: Coronavirus

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Do Not Resuscitate Orders have been issued during COVID-19 pandemic without consulting either the patient or their relatives.

Answer

The Care Quality Commission’s report into how Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions were made during the COVID 19 pandemic, found 508 instances where a DNACPR had been placed on a patient’s record without their agreement or agreement from their families or carers.

The Department remains clear that it is unacceptable for DNACPR decisions to be applied in a blanket fashion to any group of people and should be fully discussed with the individual and their family where possible and appropriate. Over the last year, clinical leaders have issued a number of statements which emphasise personalised approaches to care and treatment and reiterate that there has never been an instruction or directive issued by the National Health Service to put in place blanket DNACPRs due to medical condition, disability or age.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL15097
Session
2019-21
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
DNACPR decisions Coronavirus
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk