A Scottish mum has hit out after she found a 'do not resuscitate' order on her medical file.
Linda Henderson was shocked to discover the DNR on her medical file during a hospital stay last year and the Scottish Government is now facing calls to investigate widespread use of ' Do Not Resuscitate ' notices on unwitting patients.
This comes after the Daily Record reported that superfit teacher Fiona McVey, 44, was horrified when she discovered her status while she was on her way to hospital in an ambulance.
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Since then, others have come forward and shared that they had also been put on a DNR list without their right to consultation.
As the Daily Record wrote, readers reported finding medical files with the assignation DNACPR – Do Not Attempt CPR – or DNR/DNAR.
Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: “The revelations in the Record are shocking and distressing. We need an investigation to ensure DNRs are appropriately used and with proper communication with patients.
“Patients put their trust in the NHS to provide the best possible care and we should ensure that, where possible, their wishes are taken on board. This rings alarm bells about the scale of the crisis facing our NHS.
“There needs to be complete transparency about decision-making as it has real consequences for both patients and staff.”
Another patient who found a DNR noted on her file was 72-year-old Linda Henderson, from Perth. She was shocked to find a note on her medical file that said 'obese' and 'Do Not Resuscitate'. T
The former housing manager was staying at Perth Royal Infirmary last year and saw the guidance while she was retrieving her belongings after her hospital stay.
Linda believes she wasn't meant to see it and like many others, Linda and her husband Eddie, 80, were appalled.
Speaking to the Record, she said: “I don’t think I was meant to see the file and I was horrified when I did. A decision seems to have been made that I wasn’t worth trying to resuscitate because I’m overweight or because of my age.”
She added: “I wonder how many people have simply been allowed to die without any kind of fight to save them because a faceless person wrote ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ on a bit of paper or a computer file.”
Eddie, a former glass manufacturer, said: “It seems it has become standard practice to put these notes on people’s records. I was aware that this kind of thing was happening during Covid but we’re meant to be in different times now.”
Fiona, 44, from Clydebank, also discovered the DNACPR notice while travelling in an ambulance after an infection led to a flare-up in a heart arrhythmia.
She said: “The formal response from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde was that only GPs can update this information and as GPs are private contractors it is nothing to do with the health board. I’ve submitted a formal complaint to my GP surgery and will be seeking legal advice regarding this terrifying situation.”
Age Scotland CEO Mark O’Donnell said: “It is very worrying to hear so many more people have discovered they had a DNAR order applied without their knowledge. There is no excuse for a person or their family only learning they have a DNAR in place when they read their medical notes.
“No one should be left feeling their life is worth less than anybody else’s.”
The Scottish Ambulance Service denied putting DNACPRs in place for patients who enter their care and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde denied systematic use of the notices, adding: “Under no circumstances is a blanket approach ever taken with DNACPRs”.
Public Health Scotland said it has no role in issuing clinical guidance beyond public health. Clinicians use DNACPR notices on many patients they feel would have a very low chance of responding to very punishing CPR methods, particularly those with respiratory problems and a risk of brittle bones.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Our guidance on DNACPR makes clear that we expect healthcare professionals to discuss treatment options openly and honestly with patients and, where appropriate, their families or representatives to help ensure they get the care that is right for them given their specific medical circumstances. CPR will not always be an effective or viable treatment option for everyone.
“Where clinicians determine this is the case, conversations should always be handled with the upmost compassion, care and tact. When a disagreement occurs, individuals can always request a second medical opinion.
“No one should ever feel pressured in any way when they are discussing treatment options such as CPR.”
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