Stockton mum makes heartfelt plea to remove son's medical order

In 2021, June Hackett's world was turned upside down after her son, Kristopher (known by friends as 'Krissy'), 33, suffered a cardiac arrest while making her a cup of tea in her Stockton home.

She said paramedics were able to resuscitate him after 65 minutes, and he was then taken to the University Hospital of North Tees, where he was placed into an induced coma.

She said a DNR was placed on her son without her or her family being consulted, and they were told the reason for this was that Kristopher would not survive further CPR.

"[Kristopher's] starting to respond, slowly respond.

"He's able to look around, he's able to open his eyes. If I hold his hand, while I'm talking, he's able to grip our fingers.

"He's able to cry silent tears. North Tees said Kristopher would never recover, they said that it's highly unlikely that Kristopher would even open his eyes, he would never walk, he would never talk, he would never be able to do anything.

"I've been to every doctor, every consultant, to take the DNR off him, they're not having any of it.

"As a family, we just want the DNR off to give Kristopher a final chance, [so] if he ever took a cardiac again and he didn't survive CPR, at least our family would know he was given that final chance and that we've done everything in our power for that to happen.

"I don't know what the future will be for Kristopher, but I do know that there will be some percentage of recovery for Krissy, I do believe that. We truly believe that Kristopher will show some recovery."

After two days of Kristopher being on the ventilator, June said she and her daughter were told that if he did not show signs of improvement, the ventilator would be removed.

Meanwhile, she said the hospital told her the order had been placed on her son as he would not survive further CPR, though she contests her son had survived three further cases of CPR after more cardiac arrests before this.

She said she felt her son had become very underweight at North Tees, and said she did not believe they "did enough for him."

A North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “It would not be appropriate for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust to comment on individual cases but of course we understand how difficult this experience has been for Mrs Hackett and her family.

“We have been in contact with Mrs Hackett and would be more than happy to meet with her in person to discuss the care we provided for her son.

“We constantly review cases to look for learning opportunities and the input from families plays an essential part in this process.”

A North Tees Trust spokesperson said a DNACPR (also known as a DNR) is not withdrawal of care, but a decision made from a clinical perspective when resuscitation would not be successful.

They also said while they try to consult with families in cases such as these, sometimes it is not possible.

Adding to this, they have said DNACPRs can be reviewed as needed.

While in hospital, Kristopher had also suffered from six instances of pneumonia, a blood clot in his right lung, a collapsed left lung, Covid-19, and developed a lifelong lung disease

She said her son has since been living in a care home in Peterlee after his time in hospital and has since regained weight.

Adding to this, she believes her son is able to recognise the voices of friends and family as he responds well to them when they visit.

Ms Hackett, 66, is appealing for donations to help raise £1,550 to help fight a 'do not resuscitate' (DNR) placed on her son.

A fundraiser for Kristopher was launched by a family friend and has so far raised £520 of its £1,550.

You can donate here.