Swann denies blanket do-not-resuscitate order during Covid

The erstwhile wellness curate Robin Swann has denied determination was a broad "do-not-resuscitate" bid successful spot for sick patients successful Northern Ireland during the pandemic, the Covid enquiry has heard.

Under NHS guidance, a Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) bid tin beryllium added to someone's aesculapian notes aft consultation with the diligent oregon their household members.

Mr Swann told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, it was "ill-founded" to suggest determination was a "blanket response" arsenic a argumentation successful Northern Ireland.

The Covid enquiry is presently considering the interaction connected healthcare systems successful England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Mr Swann said helium antecedently told assembly members, successful effect to a fig of written questions, that helium believed the orders were "unethical and unnecessary to deploy based connected property oregon disability".

In effect to a question from counsel to the inquiry, Nick Scott, the MP said helium would person received "back-up documentation" erstwhile responding to assembly members questions confirming that orders were being "applied appropriately" and that "there wasn't a broad response".

Mr Swann accepted helium was alert of concerns from families astir an summation successful the fig of DNACPR orders applied to patients being admitted to hospital.

He said "on each occasions" the orders should person been "negotiated and discussed, successful regards to the idiosyncratic and the household arsenic well."

The erstwhile wellness curate besides apologised for the mode relatives of patients successful infirmary during the pandemic were "let down" by not getting accusation astir their loved ones.

Giving grounds to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, Mr Swann said it had besides been a hard concern for healthcare staff, who could not ever supply updates.

He said determination had been weaknesses successful the communications systems and successful the plans to amended these crossed wellness trusts and successful hospitals.

"In regards to the unit who were moving connected wards and being capable to supply that up to day accusation and information successful regards to however a loved one... an update connected their attraction connected a ward wasn't ever imaginable connected a timely need," said the erstwhile minister.

"On the occasions that that did origin stress, I apologise that we weren't capable to get it close each time.

"There were galore wards, galore healthcare workers who were providing that care, that accusation and were capable to conscionable those needs."

"Could we person done more, could we bash more? Yes, knowing what we cognize present successful regards to the further PPE, investigating and each the remainder of it," Mr Swann added.