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Last week my 96 year old father was admitted acutely having collapsed at home with a probable uti and chest infection. Some time previously he had complete a Respect form (replacement for DNR) with his GP requested no active treatment if he had a life threatening illness. This form accompanied him with his daughter into the acute provider.

Yet within a couple of hours he was hooked up to a drip with iv antibiotics! It took 3 days of negotiating for active treatment to be stopped and only when the consultancy eventually asked what my father wanted. His answer was an unambiguous “I don’t want to live any more”.

He was discharged home to be looked after by my sister and me and he passed away peacefully in his own bed within 48 hours.

The point of this story is that the high levels of deaths in Italy and here from Coronavirus are predominantly in the elderly and those with significant pre existing conditions. My father would not have wanted to live let alone be offered a ventilator if he had been infected.

How many potential patients have already completed a Respect form to not be actively treated who’s wishes might be lost in the stress of an acute admission. How many frail but alert elderly might wish to avoid either just being treated or remove the stress of choice making by front line staff and so consider discussing whether to complete a Respect form with their family and GP?

This doesn’t appear to have been raised anywhere In the press that I have read, perhaps it’s too sensitive a matter but I believe it’s something that should be considered.