Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what are the rules that apply to hospitals on Do Not Resuscitate decisions; whether in all relevant cases patients are explicitly asked to agree on their use; and whether they have any plans to tighten rules around such use.

Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) is a medical decision made by a qualified clinician.

A DNACPR decision is made on an individual, namely person by person, basis, and should, wherever possible, involve the person concerned or, where the person lacks capacity, their families, carers, guardians or other legally recognised advocates. Guidance from clinical bodies such as the British Medical Association, The Resuscitation Council UK and Royal College of Nursing reflects this.

In 2021, the Department established a Ministerial Oversight Group, responsible for the delivery and required changes to ensure adherence to guidance across the system about how DNACPRs are used. As part of this work, a set of Universal Principles for Advance Care Planning were jointly published in March 2022 by a coalition of partner organisations across health and social care. The principles can be applied in all settings to support people; their families and professionals share the same understanding and expectations for DNACPR decisions.

Patient-facing guidance setting out how DNACPR decisions should be made and how individuals or their families can get support if they have concerns about a DNACPR, including second opinions and review, is provided on NHS.UK in an online-only format.

Currently, no active work is being undertaken to revise DNACPR guidance.