People in the UK with learning disabilities have had ‘do not resuscitate’ orders placed on their medical charts, to be adhered to in the event they become seriously ill during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found “evidence of unacceptable and inappropriate” use of these orders being activated after the outbreak of Covid-19.
An interim report from the CQC states that the “blanket and inappropriate” use of ‘do not resuscitate’ orders could have had an impact, including potentially unavoidable death, on older people and disabled people living in care homes, including those with physical and sensory impairments, people with a learning disability or cognitive impairments such as dementia.
Mencap, a UK charity that works to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities has said it received reports in recent months from people with learning disabilities that they had been told they would not be resuscitated if they were taken ill with Covid. The Guardian newspaper and other media outlets have drawn attention to the issue in recent days.
The frightening practices the CQC brought to light in the UK raises questions about how ‘do not resuscitate’ orders are also being used in Ireland since the outbreak of Covid.
Last year, in the early stages of the Covid outbreak, Peter Fitzpatrick TD raised the issue in the Dáil. He referenced a HIQA report from a few years back that revealed the fact that "do not resuscitate" orders were written on the medical charts of patients in some nursing homes in Ireland without the consent of residents or the knowledge of next of kin.
Addressing the Minister for Health in the Dáil at the time, Deputy Fitzpatrick said: “I have nothing but respect and admiration for the heroic healthcare workers who have been standing in the firing line in recent months to help save the lives of others. They are true heroes. I want to put on record my praise and gratitude to them in the strongest possible way. However, as a society we cannot allow the situation to continue whereby families feel totally overwhelmed when confronted with issues such as "do not resuscitate" orders. In some cases, they believe that doctors are making judgments on whether their loved one should receive additional medical care not based on clinical considerations but on quality of life and other non-medical considerations.”
Deputy Fitzpatrick sought clarification from the Minister for Health on how precisely ‘do not resuscitate’ orders are being used in Ireland. To date, it remains unclear how precisely the orders are being applied.
A new Bill was introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly earlier this week to rule out abortion up to birth in situations where an unborn baby is diagnosed with Down syndrome or other non-fatal disabilities.
The Private Members’ Bill from Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MLA Paul Givan was formally introduced to the Assembly on Tuesday.
Northern Ireland’s pro-life law was overturned in 2019 when MPs at Westminster voted to impose wide-ranging abortion on Northern Ireland when the Stormont administration was suspended temporarily.
The Bill introduced this week in the Assembly is an anti-discrimination measure that would end the singling out of unborn babies with Down syndrome and other disabilities for abortion.
If passed, it would not reverse most of the damage caused by the Westminster imposed law, but it would at least end the obvious discrimination contained in the current law which targets people with a disability.
The passage of the Bill would send a strong message that it’s never acceptable to single out an entire category of individuals and seek to justify ending their lives, based solely, for example, on them having a disability.
It should be stated that every abortion discriminates against a defenceless human being, and we must continue our work until the day arrives when every abortion is looked upon as unthinkable.
In the meantime, it is commendable to seek amendments that mitigate some of the harm being done, for example, ending the practice of targeting unborn babies on the basis that they may have a disability.
The Pro Life Campaign, along with disability rights campaigner Heidi Crowter (who herself has Down’s syndrome) and others, have welcomed the Private Members’ Bill that was formally introduced this week.
A mum from Northern Ireland has recorded a beautiful new song about her son Tom who has Down syndrome.
Sara McNeill from Co Antrim wants to help other parents who like her received a shock diagnosis that their baby had Down syndrome.
Sara has become a keen blogger about her life with Tom since he was born a year ago and is committed to raising awareness and spreading a positive real-life take on having someone with Down's Syndrome in your life.
Speaking to Belfast Live she said: "Down's Syndrome isn't something to be feared, we love our lives, we love Tom! If we could have watched a video like the one we made the day he was born we just would have felt so much better, so that’s what we want to do to help other parents who got the surprise we did. I’ve already had some lovely messages from parents thanking us so much for sharing an insight into Tom’s life and that just makes it even more worthwhile."
Sara, whose stage name is Sara Crockett, recorded the song Better Place to celebrate Tom’s first birthday and to show people just how incredible life with him has been since the day he was born.
A new website abortionpillreversal.ie was launched recently. It exists to help women who regret taking the abortion pill but may just have enough time to reverse course and save their baby.
There are countless testimonies and reports of women in the US and elsewhere successfully accessing abortion pill reversal support and continuing with their pregnancies uninterrupted.
Abortion pill reversal involves giving progesterone to a pregnant woman who requests it after she has taken the abortion pill but changes her mind and is looking for a way to save her baby. It is administered under medical supervision and if given in time has been shown to save the lives of many babies who were on the brink of dying from the abortion pills their mothers had taken.
It’s great to see that women in Ireland who wish to avail of this service can now do so. The new APR website says it “provides women with evidence-based facts about the efficacy and mode of action of abortion pill reversal to enable an informed decision on the option to attempt to reverse the effects of the abortion pill before the abortion process is complete.”
It is inevitable that the new website will come under sustained attack from certain elements in the media. Last year, similar efforts to assist women who wished to reverse course and keep their babies were roundly attacked by some abortion advocates. The same people who talk about “choice” can be zealot like in denying women choice if they change their mind and decide not to go through with the abortion.
Let's hope that women who wish to undo the effects of taking the abortion pill will come in contact with the APR website and as a result that the lives of many babies will be saved.
Hope Ireland has announced an online conference for the 6th March from 11AM to 1PM, to discuss the euthanasia legislation currently before the Oireachtas. The so-called Dying With Dignity Bill is being scrutinised by the Committee on Justice at present.
The event will host an excellent line up of national and international speakers, disability rights activists and palliative care consultants. More speakers will be announced in the coming days.
In order to continue the momentum against the legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide in Ireland, we encourage you to attend this conference.
You can register your interest on the Hope Ireland website here.
The aim of this campaign is to encourage people to get involved with the PLC. We really need your help with this.
We are looking for some motivational videos and pictures. If you could take a few minutes today or tomorrow to do any of the following this would really help make a difference
- TAKE A SHORT VIDEO of yourself (20 Seconds max) telling people why you are pro-life or your favourite pro-life quote and encouraging other people to get involved - finish with the words "Change begins with you"
and/or
- TAKE A SELFIE of yourself holding up a homemade sign with the words "Change begins with You!"
Please text or whatsapp 0868246507, or send by email to [email protected]
Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation?
If you would like, APPLY HERE to our exciting virtual intern programme for students!
Participants on the programme will have an opportunity to network with other young people and develop skills in advocacy, campaign management and project planning.
Internships run for one-week periods and are suitable for second level (Transition year or older) and third level students.
Each intern will do 4 hours supervised work each day and will be working on areas such as social media, contact with members of the movement nationwide, project planning and contributing to support work for women and their babies.
Internships are not paid, however expenses will be covered.
If you or a family member is interested, please complete the below form and we will be in touch with you presently. Placements are subject to availability.
Vital Signs is the e-newsletter of the Pro Life Campaign. We hope you and your families are keeping well in these unusual times. This email is to update you on what we have been working on recently, including news stories, project updates, and details of upcoming events. If you want to get in touch with us please do so by emailing [email protected]
