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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues to (a) social services departments, (b) care home providers and (c) providers of care in non-residential settings concerning the development and application of resuscitation policies; and how compliance with such guidance is monitored. [134842] Mr. Hutton: [holding answer 26 October 2000]: Resuscitation decisions are among the most sensitive decisions that clinicians, patients and parents may have to make. Decisions whether to resuscitate patients is primarily a clinical matter for the doctor responsible for the treatment of the patient concerned. Whenever possible, the doctor should involve the patient in the decision-making, and when appropriate, their relatives or carers. When making resuscitation decisions the doctor should have regard to guidance on resuscitation decision-making issued by a professional and recognised body of medical opinion. On 5 September, the Department issued a Health Service Circular Resuscitation Policy (HSC2000/28) to National Health Service trust chief executives--copied to chairs of public health groups--which makes clear that patients' rights are central to decision-making on resuscitation. It is not the responsibility of social services departments, care home providers, nor providers of care in non-residential settings, to make decisions concerning resuscitation. In circumstances where persons in their care may have collapsed and are in need of medical attention, local procedures should have been developed which set out arrangements to deal appropriately with such cases. This protocol should be available and understood by all staff involved.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

355 c468W;355 c467-8W; 134842

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Codes of practice Care homes Consent to medical treatment Community care First aid Monitoring Social services

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk