Facts for Families12th August 2025
People with learning disabilities and autism do not yet have equal access to the same quality of healthcare as other citizens. We are working with people with learning disabilities and autism and their families and colleagues across the health and social care sector to make sure everyone gets the treatment they need at the right time.
Everyone gets ill at some point in their life. We think it is better to have all the information you need ahead of a health concern or crisis so that you can make advance plans in a more considered way.
DNAR stands for Do Not Attempt Resuscitation
You might also see the abbreviations DNR (do not resuscitate) and DNACPR (do not attempt cardio pulmonary resuscitation) on hospital notes.
When a person is seriously unwell, or about to undergo major surgery it is common practice for a doctor to discuss the risks and potential outcomes of the particular set of circumstances. If the person (the patient) has capacity to make this decision at this time their views will be respected. If health circumstances or learning disability mean they are not able to make a decision of this nature at this time a Best Interests Decision will be made in consultation between the medical team, the next of kin and significant others who know the person well such as their support team.
A Best Interests Decision is made under the Mental Capacity Act and it is important that everyone involved understands the Act well. If family are Court Appointed Deputies for Health and Welfare then the deputy/deputies must make the decision.
Doctors should not make this decision alone.
Quality of life is an issue taken into consideration before issuing a DNAR as the hoped for outcome of any medical procedure is to maintain or improve a person’s quality of life. Sometimes people assume that those with learning disabilities and autism can never have a good quality of life so we need to make sure that outdated attitudes do not form the only basis of a decision not to resuscitate a person.