Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) welcomes the publication of the COVID‑19 Inquiry’s Module 3 report and its focus on improving planning and decision‑making around cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency care planning. RCUK presented recommendations to the inquiry in October 2024.
We particularly welcome the call for a more consistent UK‑wide approach to emergency care planning. The Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT) already provides a widely used and trusted framework that supports shared decision‑making by ensuring people’s values, priorities and goals for care guide clinical recommendations.
We acknowledge the report’s findings that communication with patients and families about CPR was, at times, unclear during the pandemic. We fully support the recommendation that decisions about CPR must always be made individually, centred on the person, and discussed openly and sensitively.
RCUK remains committed to working with governments, the NHS and partners across all four nations to support high‑quality, person‑centred emergency care and to ensure healthcare professionals have the skills and guidance needed to hold these essential conversations.
RCUK also welcomes the recognition given to role that expert organisations should play in the development of clinical best practice, particularly during times of emergency. RCUK remains committed to working with the NHS to ensure resuscitation practice and advice best supports the delivery of effective treatment protocols. This protects health care professionals while offering the best standards of care to patients.