Elderly Patients "Left to Die" After Unbeknownst Do Not Resuscitate Orders

A shocking tale of medical missteps has come to light, as families of two elderly patients claim that doctors signed "do not resuscitate" orders without their knowledge or consent. Sean Cullen, 88, received the doctor-signed ReSPECT form 18 months after an A&E trip for angina, while Christine Milward, 80, was discharged from hospital with the form after a weekend stay, with her son later stating that no one spoke to her about it.

Key Takeaways:

• Sean Cullen, 88, received a ReSPECT form 18 months after an A&E trip, despite claiming no one at the hospital spoke to him about it.
• Christine Milward, 80, was discharged from hospital with a ReSPECT form that said she was "fully involved in making this plan", despite her son stating that nobody spoke to her about it.
• Both patients' families claim they were "shocked" and "disgusted" with the orders made without their knowledge.
• The hospital trusts involved have issued apologies, with the Chesterfield Royal Hospital Trust saying the ReSPECT form was revoked at the time, and the King's Mill Hospital apologizing for any distress caused.
• Michael Bradfield, clinical director at Resuscitation Council UK, stated that a person with capacity is ethically and legally expected to be involved in discussions around do not resuscitate orders.

Statistics:

• 18 months: the amount of time that passed before Sean Cullen received his ReSPECT form.
• 80: the age of Christine Milward when she was discharged from hospital with the ReSPECT form.
• 2: the number of hospital trusts involved in the cases, with both issuing apologies.

Sources:

• "Hospital 'left 88-year-old to suffer' after putting Do Not Resuscitate order without his consent"
• "Apology after claims elderly patients were 'left to die' by hospital staff"