Questions raised over use of do-not-resucitate notices

A leading disabled organisation has called for a probe into the disproportionate number of disabled people who have died from covid.

National statistics show that 4,333 people who were classed as disabled had died from coronavirus, accounting for 58% of all coronavirus deaths among the over-30s, despite disabled people representing only 18% of the population.

Inclusion Scotland is calling for an inquiry into the deaths, demanding why too many disabled people have succumbed to the virus.

The charity wants to know how many disabled people had do-not-resuscitate (DNR) notices placed on their files which should only be given through family consent.

There are fears these notices have been given too readily and may not have followed the required NHS protocol.

Heather Fisken, head of policy and research at Inclusion Scotland, said: “It is profoundly scary and upsetting that anecdotal evidence shows that such notices are still appearing despite the Scottish government’s clear guidance to clinicians that there is a proper process to follow.”

Responding to Inclusion Scotland’s concerns over DNR notices, a Scottish government spokesman said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about absolutely no change to the use of ‘Do Not Attempt CPR’ forms in NHS Scotland, and no change to the advice issued to clinicians about their use.”

Latest Scottish government data shows 219,820 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Scotland and 7,614 people have died following a positive test for the virus.