Hunt should issue guidance on “do not resuscitate” directions, court hears

Hospitals regularly breach patients’ human rights by putting “do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation” (DNACPR) directions in their notes without consultation, the Court of Appeal has been told.

Philip Havers QC told three senior judges that the health secretary for England, Jeremy Hunt, must step in and issue national guidance to end the confusion and uncertainty that can distress families and patients.

The judges, headed by John Dyson, the master of the rolls, were hearing a claim by David …