Suspicion around no-resuscitation orders for two Fifers has been voiced amid charities’ claims older people are being pushed to waive their right to CPR.
Glenrothes pensioner Alison Sibbald, 73, was shocked to be sent home from Victoria Hospital with a letter stating she should not be given CPR.
And the daughter of a Stratheden Hospital patient said she was “very, very suspicious” at the timing of a do not resuscitate order placed on her father, as health authorities battle the coronavirus pandemic.
NHS Fife has insisted its policy on resuscitation is unchanged.
Mrs Sibbald, who suffers from COPD and heart problems, was admitted to the Kirkcaldy hospital with chest pains and told there that she would not be given CPR.
She said: “I was given a letter to take home which had ‘status’ written on the envelope.
“It stated that I would not be given CPR because of my health problems.”
“It’s like they are giving up on older people.”
The Stratheden patient’s daughter, who wished to remain anonymous, said her 84-year-old father was the last on his ward without a do not resuscitate (DNR) order until she received a phone call “out of the blue” on March 20 advising her that had changed without explanation.
She said: “It’s morally and ethically wrong.
“It’s very, very suspicious timing.
“It’s like they were mopping the last one up.”
Seven UK charities representing older people claim to have seen “shocking examples” of apparently blanket decisions about care.
Age Scotland said there were “very worrying examples” across Scotland where people felt pressurised into agreeing to no CPR.
NHS Fife said it could not comment on the individual cases due to patient confidentiality.
However, it said it was often necessary to consider resuscitation on admission to hospital in patients’ own best interests, and this was formalised by a DNA CPR form used by all Scottish health boards.
Medical director Dr Chris McKenna said: “In common with healthcare providers across the UK, NHS Fife performs resuscitation in line with guidance provided by the Resuscitation Council UK.
“Our policy on resuscitation has remained unchanged despite the spread of coronavirus and there are no protocols in place preventing staff from performing resuscitation on patients with Covid-19.
“The care we provide to all patients is person-centred, with any clinical decisions made based entirely on the individual and their particular circumstances.
“As with any aspect of patient care, we have an obligation to prevent our staff from being exposed to harm and have asked that the necessary personal protective equipment is worn when performing CPR to prevent possible exposure to the virus.
“ A huge amount of work has been carried out over recent weeks to prepare our services for the anticipated increase in demand, and enable us to provide the best possible care to those who need it, regardless of whether they have Covid-19 or not.”
