AN EAST Yorkshire woman whose husband died last year has spoken out in support of Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions.

Retired teacher Elizabeth Pepper, 64, of Barmby Moor, near Pocklington,whose husband Alan had significant heart problems for many years and latterly Parkinson’s Disease, said she was initially frightened and mistrustful of DNR decisions.

However, she later realised and accepted her husband’s wish to refuse CPR and recognised the importance of a DNR in ensuring his wishes were respected.

"I came to realise that that was actually what he wanted – to be allowed to go peacefully without any form of resuscitation; no tubes, no machines, in his own bed at home," she said.

She was speaking following the publication of reports on the topic from the charity Compassion in Dying and the Care Quality Commission.

The charity said that during the pandemic, it found a significant increase in people seeking support to refuse CPR which may be unsuccessful or cause more harm than good, if they became seriously ill.

It said its new report, Better understanding, better outcomes: what we’ve learned about DNACPR decisions before and during the Coronavirus pandemic, had been released alongside the Care Quality Commission’s review into the use of DNR decisions over the past year, which the charity also contributed to.

A spokesperson said both organisations highlight the need for improved training, information and support for health and care professionals; a public health awareness campaign on DNR decisions; and a consistent, national approach to DNR record-keeping and sharing.

"During the pandemic, the charity experienced a significant increase in people seeking support to refuse CPR which may be unsuccessful or cause more harm than good, should they become seriously ill with Covid-19 or other illnesses in future,"they said.

"CPR is an invasive procedure which, if successful, rarely returns people to their previous quality of life, often causing side effects such as broken ribs and brain damage. In hospital, after having CPR around 2 in 10 people survive and leave hospital, with survival rates usually lower in other settings.

"Prior to and during the pandemic, Compassion in Dying also heard concerning reports of poor or non-existent communication between healthcare professionals and patients about DNR decisions, which caused severe and lasting distress to individuals and families.

"Compassion in Dying has also heard reports of blanket decisions being made unlawfully on the basis of age alone, as well as confusion and misunderstanding among healthcare professionals about how to make or implement DNR decisions.

"Callers who wanted to refuse CPR in future also reported a lack of support to record and share their wishes. Others were concerned that their wishes may not be known about by doctors or followed if they became seriously ill, particularly with Covid-19 restrictions preventing face-to-face meetings and family not being allowed to visit and advocate for loved ones in hospital.

"Polling commissioned by Compassion in Dying in September 2020 found low levels of public awareness on DNR decisions."