Charities claim elderly people being pushed into accepting ‘do not resuscitate’ orders

Elderly people are being pushed into waiving their right to CPR as health services fight the coronavirus pandemic, charity bosses have claimed.

Leaders of seven charities including Age Scotland said elderly and vulnerable people were being treated in a “shameful” manner and made to feel their lives do not matter.

It comes after The Courier revealed the case of an elderly Dundee woman, who was sent a ‘do not attempt CPR’ order after a phone call from her GP practice.

Her family have welcomed the intervention of the charities, which have joined forces to condemn “blanket decisions” on care.

Helen Wray claimed the manner in which her mother was dealt with was “unethical”.

She said: “These are challenging times and we do not deny that many difficult decisions will have to be made by many families.

“However, we are talking about individuals who have survived far worse in their lifetimes; they are entitled to a more sensitive and dignified approach than that made in our mother’s case, which was a telephone call from a stranger.”

The charities – including Age UK, Age Cymru, Age Northern Ireland and Scottish Care – said they had seen “shocking examples” where blanket decisions seem to have been made about care and treatment options for older and vulnerable people.

They said: “Alongside this, many of the people affected have experienced fear and anxiety, and feel that their lives and wishes do not matter.

“We do not underestimate the significant pressures being faced by all staff working across our health and social care sectors at this difficult time, but it is crucial that we continue to protect people’s fundamental human rights.

“It would be completely unacceptable to abandon these rights in favour of taking blanket, discriminatory decisions.”

The charity bosses said governments and health services across the UK must carefully consider how they can provide stronger leadership to ensure people’s rights are upheld and communication handled more sensitively.

Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “We have heard of a number of very worrying examples from across Scotland, where older people have felt pressurised into signing forms saying they do not wish CPR to be attempted.

“In many cases, the language used by GP surgeries has caused a lot of alarm and anxiety to older people and their families.

“These decisions should always be made by an individual, who might wish to have a sensitive discussion with their loved ones and health professionals.

“At this difficult time, we must make sure that all older people know they have a right to medical care, and no one is made to feel their lives do not have value or they are a burden on others.”

NHS Tayside said it had not changed its guidance on DNACPR forms during the Covid-19 outbreak when the case of Helen Wray’s mother came to light.

The Scottish Government also previously said there had been no change, but declined to comment on the charities’ statement.

“They are entitled to a more sensitive and dignified approach... HELEN WRAY