Doctors’ obligations remain unchanged after DNR ruling, says MPS
Post date: 20/06/2014 | Time to read article: 1 minsThe information within this article was correct at the time of publishing. Last updated 14/11/2018
In wake of the recent Court of Appeal ruling on Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders the Medical Protection Society has received a number of enquiries from concerned members seeking clarification on the implications.1
Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, medicolegal adviser at the Medical Protection Society said, 'The legal and professional obligations on doctors remain unchanged except in emphasis. It has always been good practice to discuss issues of resuscitation with patients. Ideally, discussions should happen proactively at the time of admission and healthcare professionals should not fear having such conversations.
In emergency or unforeseen situations doctors can still rely on the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act in considering the best interests of incapacitated patients, and where possible this should include discussions with the family.
The ruling confirms the principle of patient autonomy and the need for open and frank discussions about end of life issues. It does, however, make it clear that there is a presumption of patient involvement and that there would need to be convincing reasons not to do so, even where the clinical view is that CPR would be futile.'
Further information
For further information or to interview Dr Bradshaw please contact Kim Watson, Media Relations Manager at MPS on +44 207 399 1409 or email [email protected]
Notes to Editor
1. To read the Court of Appeal’s full judgment click here
