Husband sues hospital over ‘do not resuscitate’ notes placed on wife without her consent





A husband is suing a hospital trust over claims staff put two ‘do not resuscitate’ orders on her notes without her consent.

David Tracey is taking legal action following the alleged use of the orders while his wife Janet was treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

Doctors cancelled the first order after she objected to it, only to then put on a second one, he claims.



David Tracey is taking legal action following the alleged use of the orders while his wife Janet was treated at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge

Care home manager Mrs Tracey, 63, who had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, died at the hospital 16 days after breaking her neck in a car accident.

Her husband is suing Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust which is responsible for Addenbrooke’s, and the Department of Health, which he says have acted unlawfully by not having a standard policy on resuscitation decisions.

Mr Tracey said: ‘My wife cared for the elderly all her life and her treatment at Addenbrooke’s caused unnecessary suffering to her, our daughters and me. She would have taken great pride in seeking a change to the system which would mean future patients and their families are not forced to endure the same experience.’

David Tracey is suing Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust which is responsible for Addenbrooke's, and the Department of Health, which he says have acted unlawfully by not having a standard policy on resuscitation decisions

The case will reopen a debate on whether patients should have the final choice over their life or death, or whether doctors ultimately ‘know best’ on when such treatment might be futile.

A Department of Health spokesman said: ‘Decisions on Do Not Attempt Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation must be clinically appropriate for the individual involved, weighing up the possible benefits of CPR against any burdens or risks associated with the treatment.