"My Father and DNR - Do Not Resuscitate"

There were good and informed staff at Broomfields hospital. One of them even gave us a form to fill out with information on my Father including likes and dislikes. Great idea!

However I am concerned about the advice and information on DNR. I was told - "at his age (82) you wouldn't want me to jump on his chest would you? " This was a senior nurse.

I have told my older sister that as she is his carer I will stand by whatever she decides. However I do not agree that the right information has been given. I am returning to the hospital this weekend - I live in Somerset and the hospital is in Essex - and we will ask for their explanation again.

My problem is that before he broke his leg - 6 or so weeks ago he has another 6 - 8 weeks till the cast is even looked at - he was living independently with carer help attending a class and enjoying life - he has vascular dementia caused by several small strokes during a bypass operation. The major impact was his loss of memory - but he could still communicate and managed himself very well. He also has type 2 diabetes which he managed at home with food and the carers help.

After he broke his leg (quite severely) we were immediately concerned about the effect on him with the trauma etc but on the ward he was still communicating although not eating well, needing encouragement all the time.

He was then moved to a nursing home - conveniently situated in the grounds of the hospital although independent.

Once there he went rapidly downhill, till after less than three weeks paramedics were called and he was found to have a massive infection - was severely dehydrated and his kidneys almost collapsed. He is now back on the ward and extremely poorly.

He had become uncommunicative and we stressed to the staff at all times how important it was that he eat and drink and were consistently assured that he was being helped at meal times. After his re-admission to hospital we saw looking at his charts that they consistently wrote refused for both food and drink but when asked by us they told a different story.

I have now found the information on AGE UK's websites as to his and our rights and the choices we can make and am very reassured - although I do not understand why my sister - as his carer had not been given this information before as he had been in hospital with breaks 2 times in the last 5 years!