ABSTRACT
In April 2000, Age Concern stated that decisions not to resuscitate were made to alleviate the bed crisis within the NHS. All that is achieved by statements like this is that people become unnerved and confused by the issues surrounding 'do not attempt resuscitation' orders and euthanasia. On admission to hospital, patients are not always medically or mentally fit enough to be able to state their wishes with regard to care, or indeed when treatment should stop. This is when advance directives and living wills are beneficial. The cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the only medical intervention that presumes patient consent. If there is no realistic chance of survival, then not attempting CPR should not be seen as depriving the patient of life. Before entering into discussion with the patient and their relatives, the staff must have a good knowledge of the prognosis, the likely outcome of CPR and the quality of life that the patient is likely to have if CPR is successful.
