Agenda item

10.1

Question submitted by Dave Berry:

“I would like to ask the public question to the Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday but I am unable to attend in person.

I am aware of an occasion recently when the family member of an elderly patient at Northern General Hospital felt pressurised when asked to sign a Do Not Resuscitate Form on admittance of their partner to the hospital. The family member refused to sign but was then upset to find a Respect form issued on discharge which they had not been consulted on and felt did not reflect the family's wishes.

I am concerned that DNR forms are becoming overused and that protocols on consultation with the patient and family are not being followed and that there is confusion regarding the legal status of DNR and Repect forms and the required consultation required.

I would ask that your Committee ask for a report and consider this issue at a future meeting.

The report may include:

• information on the legal status of DNR and Repect forms

• copies of protocols regarding the two forms

• training of health professionals in the use of and consultation required on the forms

• any statistics on the use of the two forms”.

Members agreed that this issue should be added to the work programme as a formal item to be considered at a future meeting of the Sub Committee. A written response would be sent to Mr Berry confirming this.

10.2

Members agreed that with regards to Bereavement Services- a workshop should be held to ascertain what services were currently available.

10.3

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee agrees the work programme, including the additions and amendments identified.