The Trust did not communicate well with Mr Ys family and did not explain the reasons why a do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) order was in place.
What happened
The Trust admitted Mr Y to hospital with a terminal illness. Staff treated his acute illness and discharged him with a care package to be looked after at home. He sadly died six days later. His daughter complained that the Trust had not explained why her father was subject to a DNAR order, wrongly discharged him and should have told the family that he was at the end of his life.
What we found
We found that the Trust's discharge arrangements were good and that it could not have known Mr Y would die so soon after discharge. We did not uphold this part of the complaint.
We found that the Trust's communication was not good and in particular, it had not properly explained the DNAR order.
Putting it right
The Trust accepted our findings and drew up an action plan that showed how it would prevent a similar thing happening in future, and how it would audit the use of DNARs and work with the Care Quality Commission to make improvements.
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Plymouth
Not applicable
Recommendation to learn lessons or draw up an action plan