Coronavirus: Families of disabled people are still being asked to sign unlawful DNR orders

The families of disabled people are still being asked to sign unlawful ‘do not resuscitate’ orders by hospital specialists and GPs.

Labour has urged the government to “provide clarity” to healthcare workers to prevent the families of vulnerable people being pressured into wrongly signing the orders.

The party today outline ten key demands for the government to ensure disabled people are supported during the Coronavirus crisis.

Shadow Equalities Minister Marsha de Cordova called on ministers to produce a "recovery strategy" alongside disabled people to ensure those with underlying health concerns are not left behind.

The charity Turning Point, which provides supported living and residential care for people with learning disabilities, said it was successfully challenging the orders that had been flagged to them.

But they worry some families may not have the “knowledge or confidence to speak out.”

Julie Bass, the charity’s chief exec, said: “During the initial phase of the COVID-19 outbreak we saw higher than usual numbers of unlawful DNACPR orders put in place for people who lack mental capacity.

“Sadly we are continuing to see a small number despite guidance from government that this is unacceptable practice.

“We are successfully challenging these orders but we are concerned that for many people with learning disabilities, decisions that are not in a person’s best interest may go unchallenged, for example where family members do not have the knowledge or confidence to speak out.

“An advance decision not to administer CPR if a person’s heart stops, solely because they have a learning disability, is unacceptable and reflects a wider problem with prejudice and discrimination in society.”

Labour’s demands include the publication of impact assessments on Covid-19 policies and a long-term plan for how disabled people should shield themselves beyond the lockdown period.

Ms de Cordova said: "The impact of Covid-19 on disabled people living in the UK, many of whom have underlying health conditions, is an issue of great concern.

“Labour has set out ten key demands for the Government to act on immediately, to ensure that disabled people are supported during this crisis. The Government must produce an inclusive ‘recovery strategy’ that is co-produced with disabled people.”

A Government Spokesperson said: “It is unacceptable for advance care plans, including Do Not Attempt Resuscitation orders, to be applied in a blanket fashion to any group of people. NHS England has written to NHS organisations making this clear and CQC have been urgently contacting providers where this practice has been brought to their attention.

“We continue to work across government to ensure that information and guidance is accessible and that vulnerable and disabled people get the support they need through every stage of this unpresented global pandemic.”

Labour’s demands in full:

1. Publish Equality Impact Assessments on Covid-19 policies
2. Publish a long-term plan for disabled people who might be required to shield themselves beyond the lockdown period, so that they have access to the services they need, including mental health support
3. Disability leave should be offered to employees where reasonable adjustments cannot be made to ensure their health and safety
4. Update and publish guidelines on the Access to Work scheme to support home working for disabled people during Covid-19
5. Uprate Employment Support Allowance and Job Seekers’ Allowance in line with Universal Credit
6. Immediately implement safe solutions to the communication barriers created by PPE for Deaf and disabled people
7. Include Sign Language interpretation for the daily Coronavirus briefings and policy announcements, to ensure Deaf and disabled people are not excluded from vital public health information
8. Work with stakeholders including disabled people’s organisations and GPs to review the Covid-19 shielding list for vulnerable people
9. At the earliest opportunity restore local authorities’ duties under the Care Act 2014 to provide social care for disabled people, removed under the Coronavirus Act 2020
10. Provide clarity on guidance to Healthcare professionals, to ensure that disabled people on the Shielding list are not wrongly asked to sign DNAR orders