Concerns over ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ notices being issued to patients have been raised with Nicola Sturgeon by a Glasgow MSP.

Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow said there is a perception that such notices are being issued on a “blanket basis”.

He asked for an assurance that care homes and the medical professionals who work with them will be reminded of the need to have discussions with patients before any action is taken.

READ MORE: Help for prisoners if released early

Mr Harvie asked the First Minister: “Does the First Minister recognise that, at the moment, that is not always happening in all circumstances, and that some people have been concerned at the perception, at least, that DNR notices are being issued on a blanket basis and without that respectful and calm discussion with individual patients and, where appropriate, their relatives?

Nicola Sturgeon said that no-one should be pressured into signing do not resuscitate (DNR) orders and if they are concerned they should report it to their health board.

She said “No-one should feel under pressure to sign something of that nature that they do not feel comfortable signing or that they feel they haven’t had the right advice.

READ MORE:Tenants get food deliveries

“People who feel aggrieved that they’ve had letter like that can take that up through their health boards.

“We will take steps to disseminate that advice and information more widely to GPs and care homes as well.”

The First Minister also gave the latest update on coronavirus cases and deaths and revealed another large increase in deaths.

She said another 81 people had died since the day before taking Scotland’s total to 447 deaths.

As at 9 o’clock on Thursday morning, there were 4,957 positive cases confirmed, an increase of 392.

A total of 1,781 patients were currently in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 an increase of and 212 people were in intensive care with confirmed or suspected cases of the virus.

At the first ‘virtual First Minister’s Questions with Party Leaders asking questions via video link Ms Sturgeon was also asked about adequate supplies of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for health and care workers.

Jackson Carlaw, Conservative Leader asked about making sure supplies got through to where they are needed.

He asked: “At what point will the First Minister be able to say with absolute confidence that the effective distribution of PPE is in place? If necessary, will she use logistics experts from the private sector, many of whom are currently doing nothing, or from our armed forces, which have helped elsewhere already?”

Ms Sturgeon said that there was enough supplies at the moment.

She said: “We have adequate supplies, although we are not complacent about that, as there are global pressures on supply.

“We have taken significant steps to improve distribution and we continue to do that, addressing glitches and concerns as they arise.2

She added the guidance issued to health and care workers on face masks was it is down to their professional judgement

She said: “whenever a health or care worker on the front line feels that they should be wearing a mask, they should do so, as their professional judgment should be the guiding factor.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Shops are closing. Newspaper sales are falling. But we’ve chosen to keep our coverage of the Coronavirus crisis free because it’s so important that the people of Glasgow stay informed during this difficult time.

To help us get through this, we’re asking readers who can afford it to contribute either £3, £5 or £8 a month to the Glasgow Times.

If you choose to sign up, we’ll also take away all the adverts – and deliver a digital version of the print paper to your device. Click here to help Save Your Times: www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/subscribe