Family members, ambulance clinicians and attempting CPR in the community: the ethical and legal imperative to reach collaborative consensus at speed.

Abstract

Here we present the personal perspectives of two of the authors on the important and unfortunately frequent scenario of an ambulance clinician being faced with a deceased individual and family members who do not wish them to attempt CPR. We examine the professional guidance and the protection it provides for clinicians, which is not matched by guidance to protect family members. We look at the legal framework in which these scenarios are taking place, and the ethical issues which are presented. We consider the interaction between ethics, clinical practice and the law, and offer suggested changes to policy and guidance which we believe will protect ambulance clinicians, relatives and the patient.