Resuscitation Council UK responds to ‘End of life care: improving ‘do not attempt CPR’ conversations for everyone' report

Responding to the ‘End of life care: improving ‘do not attempt CPR’ conversations for everyone report’, Michael Bradfield, Clinical Director for Resuscitation Council UK said:

“We fully support the report’s call for improvements in emergency care and treatment planning, particularly those related to CPR. Resuscitation Council UK is leading on the UK-wide adoption of the ReSPECT process, which we are pleased to see has been cited in the report as a means of supporting good practice. Having clear recommendations for a person’s care and treatment - made while they are well - is vital, so that in a future emergency, in which they don’t have the ability to express what is important to them, there is a robust and recognisable plan that their family and healthcare team know. Whilst integral to End-of-Life care, the ReSPECT process can also be used for anyone who wishes to discuss what would be the most appropriate care for them in an emergency.

“We look forward to working closely with the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, to help improve experiences in this important area of patient care.”

 - Ends -

Background:

  • ReSPECT stands for Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment.
  • You can find a link to our policy on the ReSPECT process here.
  • ReSPECT supports professionals, patients and/or their families having a person-centred conversation around making recommendations about their care and treatment in a future emergency in which they are unable to communicate this for themselves.
  • Our recommendation is that The ReSPECT process is adopted as the single Emergency Care and Treatment Plan (ECTP) for all ages and that NHSD/X develops a single digital platform for healthcare records that integrates the ReSPECT process.
     

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  1. Resuscitation Council UK is saving lives by developing guidelines, influencing policy, delivering courses and supporting cutting-edge research. Through education, training and research, we’re working towards the day when everyone in the country has the skills they need to save a life.