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Improved oversight and reform of DNACPR welcomed by CPA

18 March 2021

Responding to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) report Protect, respect, connect – decisions about living and dying well during COVID-19 about worrying variation in people’s experiences of do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions during the pandemic, Kathy Roberts, Chair of the Care Provider Alliance (CPA) said:

“Very early on in the pandemic the Care Provider Alliance were alerted to inappropriate use of do not attempt CPR orders. Together with colleagues at the Care Quality Commission and the Royal College of General Practitioners we issued a joint statement forbidding such practice and to encourage local practitioners in health and social care to adopt good practice guidelines in the use of DNACPR orders.

“The CQC report provides a system wide review of what happened and what can be done to improve how DNACPR orders are used in future. It brings a detailed set of recommendations with Ministerial oversight that CPA welcomes. It is essential that meaningful conversations to aid decision-making is had with people at the end of their life and with their families. Good training and support can help us learn from this feedback and ensure everyone has access to personalised advanced care plans appropriate to their needs. 

“For older people and people with other serious mental health or long-term conditions, it has never been more important for decisions to continue to be made on an individual basis according to the person’s wishes. Where the person lacks the capacity to engage with the process then it is essential that best interest guidelines are followed, with the involvement of family members or other appropriate individuals.”

Note to Editors:§

  • The Care Provider Alliance (CPA) brings together the 10 main national associations, which represent independent and voluntary adult social care providers in England.  We work to represent the sector and ensure a coordinated response to the major issues that affect it.
  • The CPA bring together the ten national associations, which represent private, voluntary and community sector providers. We speak for the whole of the adult social care sector including care homes, home care services, Shared Lives schemes and retirement communities.
  • CPA members cover almost 10,000 organisations, employ over 600,000 staff and support an estimated 1 million people.
  • For more information on the Care Provider Alliance visit our website
  • Media contact: Care Provider Alliance, info@careprovideralliance.org.uk