Following publication of the Wales Disability Reference Group’s statement on 8 April regarding Coronavirus and the Rights of Disabled People in Wales, more than 1400 individuals and organisations joined Disability Wales, Learning Disability Wales, Wales Council of the Blind and Wales Council for Deaf People in supporting our Statement.
Disability Wales is pleased to inform you that since publication, Welsh Government has implemented the following actions:
- Coronavirus: ethical values and principles for healthcare delivery framework (Guidance for healthcare services when making decisions during the coronavirus outbreak) – published 12 April 2020.
- Covid 19 Moral and Ethical Advisory Group for Wales (CMEAG-Wales) convened to advise on issues relating to moral, ethical, cultural and faith considerations, and provide a source of advice to health services to inform equitable and just management of issues arising from the health care emergency response to the Covid 19 Pandemic – announced 14 April 2020.
- Letter from Welsh Government’s Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer to NHS Wales directors and chief executives (opens in Word) “seeking to ensure there is clarity around ethical decision making for people with any protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010” and Covid-19, including Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR).
- Links to Welsh Language versions of the letter may be found here:
Many thanks for your vital support in ensuring that our voice is heard. We trust that members will find reassurance in this guidance given such worrying times. Please share widely with your friends, family and members.
Our Chief Executive, Rhian Davies, represents Disability Wales on the Covid 19 Moral and Ethical Advisory Group for Wales and we welcome hearing about the experiences of members regarding these matters to help inform and influence the work of the Group.