A pensioner says a 'do not resuscitate' order was signed by doctors without his permission and against his religious beliefs - leaving him to fear he would die alone in hospital. Pat Burke, 82, had visited the QEQM hospital in Margate, Kent, for a routine check-up on his pacemaker when he had a seizure in the waiting room.
Doctors and nurses rushed to the former mayor's aid and he was taken onto a ward to be monitored by medics. But when his wife of 60 years, Betty Burke, visited the following day, she discovered a DNR form had been signed by doctors..
A DNR is a medical document which instructs healthcare providers not to do CPR if a patient has stopped breathing or if their heart stops beating. Pat thought he was going to die alone in hospital and claims doctors did not speak to him or his wife before signing the document.
