I got a call from a GP asking me to agree to a Do Not Resuscitate Order. She’d never even met me
– Former miner’s shock at doctor’s cold-call on treatment
A 65-year-old former miner has voiced his shock after a doctor he has never met called him to ask if he would sign a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order.
Frankie Sutton said he is “still reeling” after receiving a call “out of the blue” from his GP surgery in Bonnyrigg on Thursday night.
The Dalkeith man said: “It was from a GP who has never even seen me face to face never mind examine me, advising me that as I have emphysema and asthma, I should consider signing a form agreeing that I shouldn’t be resuscitated if I catch Covid-19.
“I told her in no uncertain terms that I wanted to live and there’s no way I’d be signing anything that is a certain death sentence. I’ve got my first great grandchild due in October, and I fully intend being around to see that baby growing up.”
Mr Sutton said the call, from Dalhousie Medical Practice in Bonnyrigg, was from a GP he has never even met before.
He said: “She’s never met me never mind examined me so how could she make a call like that?”
MSP Neil Findlay said he was “appalled” people have been getting calls, letters and even text messages asking them to sign DNR forms.
He said: “I’ve asked Nicola Sturgeon for an explanation, but all she has said is that this shouldn’t be happening when it quite clearly is.”
In a written answer to Mr Findlay, the First Minister said a “national communications exercise” was using a “range of channels including daily briefings, media ads and postal drops”.
Former secretary of the National Union of Miners at Monktonhall colliery Alex Bennett is raising the issue nationally.
He said: “It’s completely unacceptable that these once valued workers are being denied a chance of life.”
No one from the Dalhousie Medical Practice could be contacted for a comment and NHS Lothian declined to comment on the case.
In Kilwinning, a family said recently widowed 81-year-old Angus McDonald is “still upset” after receiving a DNR letter from a GP he had never seen. Grandson Nairn McDonald said: “I found him in tears.”
Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Gregor Smith said: “Everyone is entitled to be treated with the same dignity and respect and no one should ever feel pressured in any way whatsoever into giving their consent to a Do Not Attempt CPR form.”