People with learning disabilities call for urgent changes to resuscitation decisions about their own lives

THE British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) releases a new report produced with people with learning disabilities, their loved ones and supporters, detailing the need for big changes to the way do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions are made in healthcare. The report, published alongside England's Health Ombudsman's review, spotlights how these decisions are being made without people's involvement, sometimes fuelled by discriminatory attitudes about disabled people rather than medical factors. People with learning disabilities call for significant and urgent changes to DNACPR decision making, so that they and their loved ones can make informed decisions, where medical professionals meet their duties to uphold people's human rights.

A Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation notice (commonly abbreviated to DNACPR) is a notice placed on a patient's file saying that if their heart or breathing stops, Doctors will not try to restart it. As Rebecca, shares in BIHR's report:- "This is a sensitive and emotional subject that needs to be discussed openly. These honest conversations are important to us, we should always be involved in any conversation about our lives and should have our voices heard. We all have a right to make decisions about ourselves."

The report was commissioned by England's Health Ombudsman and sits alongside its review of end of life care, which was also released today and calls for improved DNACPR conversations for everyone. The Ombudsman's report notes that whilst DNACPR discussions are positive when done correctly, this is not always happening, and in some cases, Doctors breached people's human rights by not even informing them or their family that a DNCAPR notice was made.

Shaunie a member of user led advocacy organisation:- 'My Life My Choice,' who contributed to BIHR's report, shares his experiences supporting peers, saying that:- "this always gets brought up as being wrong on so many different levels because Doctors don't consult with parents. Parents are then on the back foot and have to fight. The process is so bad, it really is."

Similar experiences are echoed by family members and support workers, such as Certitude Care Manager Anthony. Anthony discusses the challenges of making complaints as a service provider and highlights that DNACPR decisions can be left off the NHS's most widely used database system.

BIHR's research report sets out clear recommendations from people with learning disabilities and those who support them, including that there is an urgent need for healthcare professionals, services and systems to provide accessible information on the decision making process and to make it clear that people can challenge DNACPRs. Alongside the written report, BIHR has produced a series of videos explaining the research and featuring commentary from participants, together with Easy Read translations, all available on BIHR's website and YouTube channel.

BIHR's CEO, Sanchita Hosali, says:- "Poor decision making around the use of DNACPR risks breaching people's legally protected human rights. Whilst the Covid pandemic threw a spotlight onto the discriminatory and disproportionate use of DNACRP decisions for many groups, this is a long standing human rights risk faced by many people with learning disabilities. Today's report is directly driven by the experiences of people with learning disabilities, their loved ones and supporters. People have shared powerful stories of their experiences, and their fears should they ever need resuscitation. We should all stop, listen and take action on the recommendations, to ensure people with learning disabilities have equal respect for their human rights in healthcare, particularly when critical decisions like DNACRP are being made. As Lara, who took part in our research says:- 'I just don't want this to be something that gets shoved on a shelf and forgotten about.'"

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The average Brit does 5 good deeds a week

RECENT research reveals that the average Briton will do 5.1:- 'good deeds' every week, totalling more than 265 over the course of the year.

Among the most common acts of kindness are holding the door open for someone (67%), checking in with someone to ensure they're well (54%), trying to boost someone's confidence (35%), picking up litter (23%) and donating items to a food bank (12%).

‘The research, commissioned by Tesco as part of its Stronger Starts Golden Grants initiative, delves much deeper into who is actually delivering these good deeds. The study indicates that inspirational figures play a significant role in motivating individuals to engage in acts of kindness. While 7% of respondents cited being inspired by a Teacher, a notable 27% mentioned being influenced by a family member, highlighting the impactful role of familial support and guidance in fostering a culture of kindness within communities.

As well as looking at who is prone to doing good deeds, the study identified the potential for acts of kindness to create a ripple effect, with 45% of those surveyed saying they gained more of a sense of community when witnessing someone else do a good deed and 33% felt inspired to carry out their own.

81% believe that acts of kindness can motivate others to do the same and 51% of the population believe the Covid pandemic encouraged people to be more community minded. And while cats are often accused of being selfish, it appears cat lovers claim to be more inclined to do good deeds, doing 5.6 in the average week, compared to 4.7 among dog lovers.

However, those with siblings claimed to do more good deeds each week (5.3) than those who were an only child (4.4).

Psychologist and broadcaster, Emma Kenny says:- "Science tells us doing good deeds can have psychological benefits, strengthen social bonds, and there is even evidence to suggest it can improve physical health, potentially lowering blood pressure. So it's great to see so many claiming to regularly be dishing out acts of kindness, not only is it likely to be helping someone else, it's also likely to be helping them."

The research also showed that people hoping to fall on the receiving end of a good deed should not expect to get lucky during the morning commute or School run, with just 3% of the country saying they're prone to doing good deeds before 9am. The research revealed that more than a third of the nation (37%) say they tend to do good deeds at a particular time of day, with 12.48pm the average time they're likely to happen.

This timing aligns with Tesco's Stronger Starts Golden Grants celebrations taking place in 100 Tesco stores nationwide on:- Saturday, 16 March 2024, from:- 12pm to 1pm, making this the perfect time for customers to take a lucky dip to find a gold version of Tesco's famous blue voting token and do a good deed for their local community.

Customers who find a gold token will be able to choose which of the three chosen local school or children's groups will receive a £5,000 Golden Grant from Tesco to spend on equipment or healthy food, and help give children a stronger start in life.

Tesco Head of Communities, Claire De Silva says:- "Schools and local projects are vital in supporting our children and our communities. We're giving customers who visit these 100 stores the chance to make a difference to a School or group that's doing amazing work on their doorstep."

Tesco Stronger Starts is committed to supporting more than 5,000 Schools and children's groups with £5 million in funding every year. This funding aims to provide nutritious food and resources to keep children physically active throughout the School day.

So on:- Saturday, 16 March 2024, head to your local participating Tesco store between:- 12pm to 1pm, to join in the fun and make a meaningful impact to your local community, with the incredible chance of awarding a deserving local School or children's group with a £5,000 Golden Grant.

Top 10 most common good deeds done are:-

1. Holding the door open for someone (67%)

2. Sent someone a message just to check in on how they were (54%)

3. Tried to boost someone's confidence (35%)

4. Given my knowledge freely to someone looking for advice (34%)

5. Given money to charity (32%)

6. Made an effort to make someone feel welcome (32%)

7. Given items to charity (31%)

8. Taken in a neighbour's parcel (25%)

9. Picked up litter that was not my own (23%)

10. Offered to help carry something for someone who was struggling (20%)