Petition · past parliament
Learning difficulties the same rights as others when hospitalised with covid-19.
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
Change the DNR law regards to people with learning difficulties.
I would like the Government/Parliament to change this because it’s a basic human right to be treated the same as everyone else. The do not resuscitation act is unfair and inhuman.
Why it was rejected
It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.
Decisions about do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) orders are made by individuals and clinicians, not the Government or House of Commons.
The NHS has written to all trusts and accountable officers stating that ‘do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation’ (DNACPR) orders should only ever be made on an individual basis and in consultation with the individual or their family, and that the key principle is that each person is an individual whose needs and preferences must be taken account of individually: https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/04/maintaining-standards-quality-of-care-pressurised-circumstances-7-april-2020.pdf
You can read an interim report of the Care Quality Commission into the application of do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic here: https://www.cqc.org.uk/news/releases/cqc-finds-combination-increasing-pressures-rapidly-developing-guidance-may-have
We have published the following petition, which you might like to sign:
Hold a public inquiry into the use of DNACPR orders during the Covid-19 outbreak: Hold a public inquiry into the use of DNACPR orders during the Covid-19 outbreak.
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
The Government has also created an online service to help you find out what you can do if you’re struggling because of coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
You can read impartial analysis of the Government response to coronavirus and policy developments here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/coronavirus/
The NHS has written to all trusts and accountable officers stating that ‘do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation’ (DNACPR) orders should only ever be made on an individual basis and in consultation with the individual or their family, and that the key principle is that each person is an individual whose needs and preferences must be taken account of individually: https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/04/maintaining-standards-quality-of-care-pressurised-circumstances-7-april-2020.pdf
You can read an interim report of the Care Quality Commission into the application of do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic here: https://www.cqc.org.uk/news/releases/cqc-finds-combination-increasing-pressures-rapidly-developing-guidance-may-have
We have published the following petition, which you might like to sign:
Hold a public inquiry into the use of DNACPR orders during the Covid-19 outbreak: Hold a public inquiry into the use of DNACPR orders during the Covid-19 outbreak.
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
The Government has also created an online service to help you find out what you can do if you’re struggling because of coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
You can read impartial analysis of the Government response to coronavirus and policy developments here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/coronavirus/
Timeline
| 22 Mar 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 29 Mar 2021 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Rejected
Rejected
29 Mar 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.