Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): Information for patients and carers

  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a emergency treatment that tries to restart your heart and your breathing
  • CPR is forceful and can cause broken ribs, internal bleeding and brain damage
  • For some people it can be successful and kick starts the heart back into a normal rhythmn
  • If you are seriously ill and near the end of your life, there may be no benefit in subjecting you to CPR, as your heart and breathing will actually have stopped as a natural part of of the dying process
  • Less than 2% of patients with advanced cancer or palliative conditions who receive CPR leave hospital alive
  • If you do not wish to receive CPR you can request that your medical or nursing team complete a DNACPR form (Do not attempt CPR). You should inform those close to you
  • All other treatment remains available 

The NHS Wales Talk CPR website has a list of frequently asked questions about CPR 

This 3 minute video explaining CPR is from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Recommended Resources

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust: Decisions about treatment

Published 1st November 2022

Talk CPR

Published 1st January 2018

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Hospices

Harlington Hospice
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Harlington Hospice

T. 020 8759 0453

W. https://www.harlingtonhospice.org/

Harlington Hospice provides a wide range of palliative care services to the residents of Hillingdon and surrounding areas.

The Hospice hosts a Wellbeing Service (shared with Michael Sobell Hospice), complementary therapies, counselling, lymphoedema service and the CABS team supporting children and adolescents.

The Hospice also hosts Harlington Hospice@Home team, mainly providing night sits, plus inpatient beds based at Michael Sobell Hospice (MSH) in Northwood.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
Hospice UK
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Hospice UK can help find a hospice, provide infromation and support about end of life care and guidance to plan ahead.

Meadow House Hospice Inpatient Unit
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Meadow House Hospice Inpatient Unit

T. 0208 967 5179

W. http://meadowhouse.lnwh.nhs.uk

Meadow House Hospice provides inpatient palliative care services to the residents of Ealing.

The hospice has a 15 bedded inpatient unit supported by a team of dedicated staff providing 24/7 specialist support to patients and their family members. Patients with a progressive life limiting illness can be admitted for symptom management or end of life care.

Patients have a safe, dignified space of their own and the flexibility to spend time alone or in company, surrounded by their possessions and the people they care about. The hospice also has an extensive garden area that provides a quiet and reflective environment for both patients and family members.

Please contact the hospice Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm and during the weekend 9.00am to 5.00pm on 0208 242 5817.

There is a 24 hour telephone support line to the hospice ward on 0208 967 5597.

Bereavement services to support family members, friends and carers connected to a loved one who was cared for by the Hospice, can be contacted via main switchboard.  

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
Michael Sobell Hospice Inpatient Unit (MSH)
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Michael Sobell Hospice Inpatient Unit (MSH)

T. 020 8106 9201

W. https://www.harlingtonhospice.org/michael-sobell-house/

The Michael Sobell Hospice provides a range of palliative services for people with advancing illness.

The Hospice has 10 beds in its refurbished inpatient unit and looks after people with complex symptoms as well as those close to the end of their life.

Many people have a short admission and get back home agian.

The Hospice hosts the 24 hour Hillingdon advice line  on 020 3824 1268

The Hospice is part of Harlington Hospice, and shares the Wellbeing Service with the Harlington team, and hosts the Harlington Hospice@Home team

Please use the referral form below.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
Royal Trinity Hospice
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Royal Trinity Hospice

T. 0207 787 1062

W. https://www.royaltrinityhospice.london/

Royal Trinity Hospice provides palliative care services to the residents of Hammersmith and Fulham, Central London and West London.

There is a 24 hour, 7 days a week clinical advice line and OOH access to the on-call consultant.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
St John's Hospice Inpatient unit
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St John's Hospice Inpatient unit

T. 020 7806 4040 / 07725 258767

W. https://www.stjohnshospice.org.uk/our-care/inpatient-care

St. John's Hospice provides inpatient palliative care services to the residents of Brent, Central London and West London.

This is an inpatient unit with 18 beds

Please contact for admissions for advice and Community Specialist Palliative Care.

The office hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. Referrals received in the morning are triaged the same afternoon, and those received in the afternoon are triaged the following working day.

If urgent, please follow up the referral by calling us on 020 7806 4040. Out of hours, urgent referrals will be discussed with the consultant on call.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)

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