CPR is an emergency treatment which tries to restart a person’s heart or breathing when these suddenly stop (cardiac and/or respiratory arrest.

CPR can include:
‘Mouth-to-mouth’ or ‘mask-to-mouth’ breathing
Pushing down firmly on the chest repeatedly (chest compressions)


In hospitals, a tube may be put in the windpipe, and a bag or machine is used to pump oxygen into the lungs.
Machines known as defibrillators may also be used to deliver electric shocks to the heart: only certain types of cardiac arrest respond to defibrillators.

Our staff are trained in life support  which comprises chest compressions (and ‘mask-to-mouth’ if appropriate) to cover the rare situations when patients might benefit from attempted CPR. We also have on-site defibrillators. In this situation a ‘999’ ambulance will also be called and the patient would be transferred to hospital for ongoing treatment.

Sometimes the media present CPR as being very successful.
CPR usually only works in certain situations: people who were previously well and who have specific types of cardiac arrest are much more likely to respond to treatment.
Only one in eight people (with all kinds of illness) who receive CPR in Hospital will recover enough to leave hospital.
In people with very serious, advanced illnesses (for example advanced cancer or severe heart or lung disease) only about one person in a hundred who receives CPR will recover enough to leave hospital.

CPR can sometimes cause broken ribs and internal bleeding. Even if people survive after CPR, they may be left with additional medical complications such as brain damage. It is vital therefore that we consider the benefit risk and burden of this specific form of treatment for each individual person.

Resuscitation is a medical treatment, so the ultimate responsibility for the decision usually rests with the senior doctor caring for you.
At home this will usually be your GP. In the Hospice ward, this will usually be the consultant responsible for your care.
The medical and nursing team will always consider whether CPR is appropriate for people under the care of St Michael’s. Decisions are reviewed by the clinical team looking after you and you might discuss together the benefit burden and risks much as we might discuss those of other forms of treatment such as chemotherapy. Our aim is to make sure that any medical treatment will provide maximal benefit and minimise burden whilst maintaining  dignity at all stages of an individual’s life.

If you do not have a current valid Not for Resuscitation form, we will discuss CPR with you, unless it appears that to do so would be harmful. The doctor in charge of your care will tell you if they think you would not benefit from resuscitation.
Should you require inpatient care and CPR is particularly relevant to your needs, or you are concerned to have full CPR facilities available, it may on rare occasions be appropriate for you to be cared for in a hospital rather than at St Michael’s.

Patients will have a CPR decision recorded in their medical notes normally within 48 hours. If a patient is not for resuscitation then the nationally agreed Respect form is completed and endorsed by the consultant responsible for the patient’s care. This provides a record of resuscitation status but also additional information about an individual’s wishes in terms of levels of care and treatments a patient might wish to decline. It helps form an important part of an individual’s wishes and care plan.

Some people decide to record their wishes to refuse certain treatments in an ‘Advanced Decision to Refuse Treatment’ (ADRT).
If you wish to do this, you will need to complete the form, sign it and have your signature witnessed. Your doctor or nurse will be happy to discuss making an ‘Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment’ with you if you wish as they are happy to discuss advance care planning with you.

You might additionally wish to record certain choices and wishes on your Respect form such as ceilings of care. All this information helps us to ensure that we are tailoring our plans so that together we ensure we are doing what’s best for you.

Definitely not. We always ensure that our patients have the treatment they need and endeavour to maintain their comfort and dignity at all times.

Some people decide to record their wishes to refuse certain treatments in an ‘Advanced Decision to Refuse Treatment’ (ADRT).
If you wish to do this, you will need to complete the form, sign it and have your signature witnessed. Your doctor or nurse will be happy to discuss making an ‘Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment’ with you if you wish.