Many “do not resuscitate” decisions in England during pandemic ignored equality and human rights laws, says CQC

Equality and human rights laws were flouted when “inappropriate” advance non-resuscitation decisions were taken during the covid-19 pandemic, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found in a government commissioned report.1

The Department of Health and Social Care for England asked the CQC to carry out a rapid review after allegations that blanket “do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation” (DNACPR) decisions were imposed on some groups, such as people in care homes, and that some people with DNACPR decisions in their records were unaware of the fact.

Advance decisions not to attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation should a person’s heart or breathing stop in the future should be made only after discussion with the person involved or the family if the patient lacks capacity, and they should be made on an individual basis, the CQC emphasised. But, amid fears early in …