Decisions about treatment options must be made on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the risks and benefits, and people’s own wishes, through honest discussions between patients, doctors and families.
Whether or not to complete a DNA-CPR form is an individual’s decision, and they have a right to make that decision without feeling pressurised.
You can read the Commissioner’s joint statement on DNA-CPR here.
In response to the Commissioner’s statement, the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer for Wales wrote to issued a letter in response to Health Board Chief Executives and directors to make clear that ‘age, disability or long term condition alone should never be a sole reason for issuing a DNACPR order against an individual’s wishes’. The letter also stated that it ‘is unacceptable for advance care plans, with or without DNACPR form completion to be applied to groups of people of any description. These decisions must continue to be made on an individual basis according to need and individual wishes.’
You can read the letter from the CMO and CNO here.
In November 2019, the Commissioner published an information guide in partnership with Aneurin Bevan University Health board that aims to help individuals maintain control and continue to be a part of decisions made about their care. You can download the Advance Care Planning Guide here.
The Welsh Government has also established a Moral and Ethical Advisory Group, which offers ethical advice and to government in relation to issues caused or affected by COVID-19. The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales is a member of the group, which has published an ethical values and principles for healthcare delivery framework.