Scottish Greens demand answer from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon amid fears that life-ending 'do not resuscitate' orders are being issued on a 'blanket basis' amid coronavirus pandemic
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Concerns about elderly people and the process used for implementing do not resuscitate (DNR) orders surfaced at First Minister’s questions today.
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said that some people are being approached on the matter in a way that was inappropriate and may not “respect their dignity.”
Last week it was reported that an 86-year-old woman with memory problems in Tayside had signed a DNR after being asked about it by a locum GP – to her family’s horror.
Shortly afterwards, the Conservatives also questioned the guidance being issued as it may put doctors in an impossible position due to a lack of clarity.
Mr Harvie said: “As the First Minister is aware one of the issues that's been raised with me and with other MSPs is the issuing of instructions not to resuscitate a patient in certain circumstances, known as DNR notices for short.
“Now we are all conscious that in medical care difficult decisions need to be made about the appropriate form of care for people if the worst does happen, but those decisions need to be taken in the context of respectful discussion with patients or their loved ones and in a way that respects dignity and control that people would expect to have in these circumstances.
“Does the First Minister recognise that at the moment that isn't always happening in all circumstances as some people have been concerned at the perception at least that DNR notices are being issued on a blanket basis and without the context of that respectful and calm discussion with individual patients and their relatives, where appropriate?”
The First Minister confirmed she had heard those concerns from some people and there would be discussions about better ways to have the conversation.
Nobody, she said, should receive a DNR form "out of the blue" without discussion or should feel under any pressure to complete one.
“We must continue to give people the best care that is available for them and the care that they think is right for them,” she said.
Highland Conservative MSP Edward Mountain had earlier voiced his own concerns about the practice.
“No one should ever feel that they are being rushed or forced into signing a do not resuscitate order,” he said. “GPs, families and patients will have to make very difficult decisions during this pandemic."
