In Great Britain, Do Not Resuscitate orders (DNRs) have been sent out to families, learning disability providers and charities in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. 

But wait, what is a DNR? A DNR means that a patient with a learning disability can be refused treatment at a hospital or with a GP. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it?

Well, it’s not in the UK. It is a very real truth that is affecting people and families daily. What’s worse is that these orders are being imposed without consultation of the patients family. An excerpt from an Independent article states:

“In one example, a man in his fifties with sight loss was admitted to hospital after a choking episode and was incorrectly diagnosed with coronavirus. He was discharged the next day with a DNR form giving the reason as his “blindness and severe learning disabilities”.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-do-not-resuscitate-dnr-learning-disabilities-turning-point-a9561201.html

I remember reading of this news a couple of months ago and thinking ‘surely, this isn’t real?’. As soon as I saw the article above, I made this petition.

I am directing this petition to the CEO of the NHS, Simon Stevens and the Chief Medical Officer for England, Chris Whitty. DNR orders are cruel, disgusting and demeaning. Without consultation of families or even the patient them self, they are (and should be classed as) illegal. Just because someone has a learning disability doesn’t mean that they don’t have a VOICE. 

Please sign this petition, let’s make some change!