Civil rights activist died at home after DNR decision

A CIVIL rights activist who marched with Martin Luther King was allowed to die at home from an overdose of prescription drugs after paramedics became involved in legal wrangling over a DNR order, an inquest heard.

Dr Nona Ferdon, a Harvard educated psychologist, was unconscious but “still breathing” at her residence in Minsterworth, Gloucs. She died three days later.

Dr Ferdon’s daughter Sharon Springel was instructed by an ambulance operator to start CPR but said that it would be against her mother’s wishes.

The 93-year-old was a supporter of Dignitas, the Swiss assisted suicide clinic, and repeatedly told her family she did not want to be resuscitated.

Paramedics visited the home to discuss the “unusual situation” with Ms Springel and sought legal advice after one female official suspected the DNR was invalid, the inquest was told.

Coroner Roland Wooderson told the hearing: “When the ambulance crew arrived they gave her mother oxygen.

“But Ms Springel felt absolutely obliged to follow her mother’s wishes and there was a lengthy discussion between the family and the paramedics and their legal teams. She said her mother had made it known to family and health professionals that she did not want intervention and there was a very specific DNR statement in place.”

The inquest heard Gemma Abbott of South West Ambulance Service was called to Dr Ferdon’s home on March 12, the day after Ms Springel dialled 999.

She was presented with a Dignitas

‘Ms Springel felt absolutely obliged to follow her mother’s wishes and there was a lengthy discussion’

booklet and a RESPECT form which showed Dr Ferdon’s intention not to be resuscitated. The document outlines personalised emergency care recommendations for patients if they are unable to make or express choices and have been adopted at NHS hospitals in Gloucestershire since October 2019.

A senior manager and a critical care consultant agreed no further measures should be carried out to prolong Dr Furdon’s life despite her GP advocating she be taken to hospital. A narrative verdict was recorded.