'Reasonable' decision not to give CPR after life support withdrawal, inquest hears
An inquest is looking into the deaths of four men at Peterborough City Hospital
A decision not to resuscitate a man after having his life support withdrawn was correct, an inquest has heard.
The inquest is looking into the deaths of Simon Scott, Ashley Gogerly, John Hunt and Robert Mackay who all died at Peterborough City Hospital while under the care of anaesthetist Dr Andrew Gregg.
Scott, 41, was diagnosed with leukaemia but later died in January 2016.
Dr Richard Keays, a consultant in intensive care and anaesthesia, told the inquest a ‘do not attempt CPR’ order (DNA CPR) was made by the hospital as Mr Scott's condition worsened.
Dr Keays said "it would have been unwise to attempt resuscitation because it would be a declaration the decline (in Mr Scott's health) was unstoppable."
When asked what triggers a DNA CPR order, Dr Keays told the inquest it is "a change in a patient’s medical condition".
Dr Keays said Mr Scott's SOFA score (sequential organ failure assessment) - based on different measures that show the severity of a patient's condition during their stay in intensive care - would be a "blunt tool" towards making a decision on whether or not to withdraw life support.
But Dr Keays said Dr Gregg's decision to withdraw life support "was reasonable".
Asked by Gerry Boyle, counsel to the inquest, if Dr Gregg made a decision to withdraw life support after speaking to a senior colleague, Dr Keays agreed.
Dr Keays said the doses used to sedate Mr Scott and Mr Gogerly once life support was withdrawn appeared to be "excessive".
Earlier in the inquest, Mr Scott's family, who have been attending the inquest, said no relatives had conversations with hospital staff about withdrawing life support.
Dr Gregg told Peterborough Coroners' Court that he received no formal training when it came to end of life care.
The inquest continues.