Family of woman who had DNR order put in her notes without her knowledge is refused right to challenge its legality

The family of a woman who had a “do not resuscitate” notice placed in her medical notes without her knowledge has been refused permission to challenge the lawfulness of the decision in the High Court.

Mrs Justice Nicola Davies held that the DNR notice in 63 year old Janet Tracey’s notes had had “minimal causative effect” because it was cancelled five days later without being put into effect, after her family discovered it.

A new notice placed in her records three days later and two days before she died followed consultation with the family members, although they had been unwilling to discuss it with her, the judge decided …