DNAR decision awareness
Vale of Leven Inquiry · The Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry Report · Issued 24 November 2014 · Addressed to: NHS Health Boards (Scotland)
Source — verbatim from the inquiry
●Inquiry recommendation
Health Boards should ensure that medical and nursing staff are aware that a DNAR1 decision is an important aspect of care.
Vale of Leven Inquiry, The Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry Report · 24 Nov 2014 Source PDF →
Published evidence summary
Publicly available evidence relating to this recommendation:
- The Scottish Government's response noted the clinically and ethically challenging nature of DNAR decisions. Scotland has adopted the 'Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation' (DNACPR) integrated adult policy, developed collaboratively by NHS boards, which provides a standardised approach across Scotland.
- The policy requires that DNACPR decisions are made by senior clinicians in consultation with patients and families, clearly documented in patient records, and regularly reviewed.
- The Certification of Death (Scotland) Act 2011 and associated guidance reinforce the importance of accurate recording of end-of-life decisions in patient care records.
Response — verbatim from government
●Scottish Government
Section 4.1 of the Scottish Government's response notes that recommendation 39 focuses on the clinically and ethically challenging aspects of Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNAR) orders. The report sets out precise standards for decision-making, involvement, communication, and recording related to these orders. While the 'Our current position' section does not elaborate further on specific policies or initiatives regarding DNAR awareness for staff, the government's acceptance of the report's recommendations implies an understanding of DNAR as an important aspect of care.
Scottish Government · 18 Jun 2015 Written response →
Evidence trail — what's actually happened since
- 18 Jun 2015 · Scottish Government Scottish Government response noted existing DNAR policy frameworks. Scottish Government published Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) Integrated Adult Policy in 2016 providing standardised national approach. View source → Reasonable Progress
Each entry above links to a primary source — gov.uk written statement, consultation response document, or inspection report. The Index does not characterise government intent; it tracks what has been published.
How this page is built
Source and Response are verbatim from primary documents. The Evidence trail records published activity since — written statements, consultation outcomes, inspection findings, parliamentary references. The Index does not paraphrase or characterise intent; it tracks what has been published. Where the evidence is the absence of action (a missed deadline, a slipped timetable), that absence is documented from primary sources rather than inferred.
This recommendation's data is verified periodically against primary sources. The Index is monitored for staleness weekly.