Everyone has a right to equal quality of care. We should reject ableism in all its forms, but especially in these life and death situations.
‘Nursing homes in the UK were asked by government health managers and family doctors to place blanket “Do not resuscitate” (DNR) orders on all residents at the height of the coronavirus pandemic to keep hospital beds free, a report has alleged.
The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) surveyed 128 nurses and care home managers about what their experiences in March and April. One in 10 said that they had been ordered was ordered to change DNR plans without discussion with family members, nursing staff, or with the residents themselves.
Half these worked in homes for the elderly, and half in homes for younger people with learning or cognitive disabilities.
One anonymous respondent, when asked about DNRs, said: “We were advised to have them in place for all residents…We challenged this as unethical.”
“These decisions were being made by NHS managers not clinicians. And this wasn’t just happening with elderly people, it was those with learning disabilities or cognitive problems of all ages…”‘
Read more at BioEdge…