Dr Linda Dykes

Everyone's life ends eventually, but as a society we are very squeamish talking about death.  Sadly, the current situation in the UK is that a peaceful death is something you have to opt-in to. We all have a responsibility (as patients, relatives, sons, daughters, health care professionals, carers, grandsons, granddaughters...) to make sure that nobody we treat, know, or care for is left without the protection of a Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNACPR form, previously known as DNAR) when attempts to restart a heart that has stopped would be unwanted, inappropriate or futile.

 

Without that protection, if any emergency services or ward staff are involved, then it's very likely that CPR will be started, even if there is no hope of benefit. CPR is not a treatment for Ordinary Dying.  

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• This page will eventually contain links and resources for both HCPs and families who need to #HaveTheConversation.

• Visit the Planning For The End of Life (or health catastrophe) page for a guide to the alphabet soup of acronyms relevant to anticipatory care planning: DNACPR, ADRT, TEP, ReSPECT and more. 

 

NB: this is a personal website, not subject to the Welsh Language Act (and I no longer work in Wales!) but I do try to provide any patient-facing resources in Welsh as well as English, although there may be a delay whilst I persuade friends to translate! 

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