I read with dismay the article by Dr Macaulay in the Gazette dated May 8 about DNACPRs (Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).

As a North West Ambulance Service community first responder I am irritated by his negative attitude to CPR.

First responders train monthly to be able to give CPR to members of the public who suffer from cardiac arrests and here in the north west our success rate for out of hospital arrests is over 40 per cent, not the 10 per cent he quotes.

Of those 40 per cent a significant number go on to lead fairly normal lives, so it’s not all gloom and doom.

For some people a DNACPR is appropriate, but these are people who it is known would not have a successful outcome from CPR, or indeed would not want to be resuscitated.

Many of the people Dr Macaulay deals with will have DNACPRs, as do a lot of people in care homes, but for the person on the street who collapses CPR is a must.

Not many people can stand by and watch someone die in front of them.

Sue Cox

Carr Bank