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Older Britains Not Consulted on Life End Decisions

Wed, 05/03/2000 - 12:00am — Karen Stevenson
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Age Concern released a report showing that 50 elderly patients had been labelled "not for resuscitation" (NFR) by doctors without their consent. Age Concern released its list after a 66-year-old cancer patient discovered the comment "inappropriate for resuscitation" was written on her medical notes.

An editorial in the British Medical Journal reported that doctors in Britain do not consult up to two thirds of patients on decisions that could lead to their deaths. Patients listed as NFR were 30 times more likely to die than other patients. Do not resuscitate orders are more commonly used for older people, suggesting that doctors have stereotypes of who is not worth saving.

The Department of Health said it did not plan to investigate whether the claims were widespread, saying doctors and hospitals had clear guidelines on the issue.

Age Concern released a report showing that 50 elderly patients had been labelled "not for resuscitation" (NFR) by doctors without their consent. Age Concern released its list after a 66-year-old cancer patient discovered the comment "inappropriate for resuscitation" was written on her medical notes.

An editorial in the British Medical Journal reported that doctors in Britain do not consult up to two thirds of patients on decisions that could lead to their deaths. Patients listed as NFR were 30 times more likely to die than other patients. Do not resuscitate orders are more commonly used for older people, suggesting that doctors have stereotypes of who is not worth saving.

The Department of Health said it did not plan to investigate whether the claims were widespread, saying doctors and hospitals had clear guidelines on the issue.