Health secretary Jeane Freeman has apologised for the “distress” caused to a Dundee family who found a do not resuscitate (DNR) form stuffed in their mother’s bag.
Ms Freeman said she was “disappointed” to read about the May incident and said all those receiving care should be treated with “sensitivity, dignity, and respect at all times”.
The 88-year-old woman’s daughter Catriona Black was left furious when she found the actionable form and the family have repeatedly called for better oversight of the practice.
Despite the apology, Ms Black said she remains concerned about future abuse.
“I really hope this is addressed before any second wave,” she said.
“My mother was given no choice. It was stuffed in her hospital bag like she was a non-entity who had just been through a process and churned out the other side.
“It chills me slightly. Where was the care, respect, dignity, openness, honesty and responsibility?”
Responding to a letter from Northeast Scottish Conservative MSP Bill Bowman, Ms Freeman said she was “disappointed to read of Ms Black’s experience” and said she is “sorry for the resulting distress this has caused her and her family.”
She reiterated policy on DNRs is “no different to how it was before the pandemic” but recognised some conversations by clinicians “could have been handled in a more sensitive manner”.
Opposition politicians have called on the Scottish Government to put measures in place to ensure the number of DNRs, which are designed to protect vulnerable patients from harm through CPR, are recorded.
Ms Black added: “This story is not about my mum. It is about how we as a society care for others around us particularly the elderly, infirm and disabled.
“Until a system of accountability is in place, we are all open to same exploitative system.”
NHS Tayside previously apologised and conducted a review, adding the “robust” DNR policy has been “highlighted to our staff to ensure it is appropriately used in all cases.”
The Scottish Government has repeatedly said there has been no change in its DNR policy and said discussions by medics “should always be handled with the utmost compassion, care and tact.”
Equalities minister Christina McKelvie has said the issue may have begun when doctors “panicked” in the early stages of the pandemic, fearing services could be overwhelmed.
