Marie Curie welcomes updated DNACPR policy
Press release published
Scottish Government has published an update to NHS Scotland Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) Integrated Adult Policy. This update follows a multi-disciplinary group review of current UK-wide best practice guidance led by Dr Juliet Spiller, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Marie Curie.
The update complements the Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care which aims to ensure that people have opportunities to discuss and plan for future possible decline in health. It also fits in with the ambition of the Chief Medical Officer’s report on Realistic Medicine, which encourages medical staff to involve patients and those close to them in shared decision-making about realistic treatment and care options, and avoiding unnecessary interventions which may be of little or no benefit.
Dr Jane Collins, Chief Executive of Marie Curie said: “We welcome this update to the Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) Integrated Adult Policy which emphasises that the patient and their family should always be at the centre of decision making about their care.
“Conversations about anticipatory treatment and care planning for palliative and end of life care are complex and emotive which can be difficult for everyone involved. However it is essential that patients and their families are given the information and support they need to make their wishes known. Staff in all health and social care settings must also feel confident about sensitively instigating open and honest conversations about realistic and person-centred options for treatment and care.”
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Notes to editor
Please note – we are now called ‘Marie Curie’ (not Marie Curie Cancer Care)
Marie Curie – care and support through terminal illness
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading charity for people with any terminal illness. The charity helps people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together by delivering expert hands-on care, emotional support, research and guidance.
Marie Curie employs more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, and with its nine hospices around the UK including Edinburgh and Glasgow, is the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS.
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