Marie Curie responds to the CQC report on DNACPR

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has released a report - Protect, respect, connect – decisions about living and dying well during COVID-19 – looking at how Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) orders were used during the coronavirus pandemic, in the context of advance care planning, across all types of health and care sectors, including care homes, primary care and hospitals.

In response, Julie Pearce, Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Quality and Caring Services at Marie Curie said:

"We welcome the CQC report and agree with its view that any blanket use of DNACPR orders, even during difficult times, is unacceptable. DNACPR orders, when done well, are an important part of advance care planning and can empower patients, and clinicians, and help ensure people's wishes and preferences are known and adhered to.

"We agree that clinicians, health & care staff should be equipped to be able to have those conversations compassionately, confidently and where the main focus is on what matters most to the individual. It was concerning to read that most local health and care systems that the CQC looked at had 'underdeveloped strategies for end of life care'. End of life care strategies need full and proper attention at all levels and we must learn from this report, and wider evidence, to ensure end of life care is front and centre when planning health and social care provision now and in the future."