Executive member of Resuscitation Council UK, Professor Jonathan Wyllie, said one of its members had implemented the policy.

Prof Wyllie said ‘we put out what we felt was a very clear statement that blanket DNACPR was not an appropriate way forward and should not be implemented. That was on our website, and that -- our stance on that has never changed'.

When asked if the council had any powers to stop the practice, he said: ‘No, we didn't and if I'm brutally honest I would say that our bandwidth was probably taken up by trying to sort out the issue with guidelines and get on the same page with Public Health England.'

The professor said trusts had mechanisms in place to prevent the practice but added a ‘central clearing house' should be in place to deal with the issue in a pandemic situation.

He added: ‘I believe strongly that we need a better system for engaging with patients and their families in terms of what they wish.'

Prof Wyllie said more staff training was also required to help support families.

Becky Kummer's, whose 77-year-old father was placed under a DNACPR order without discussion with him or his family, said: ‘While we don't know if he was subject to a blanket DNACPR, knowing that population triage was in place raises more questions about his care. What is clear, however, is that the NHS was unable to provide the care many of our loved ones deserved when they needed it the most. All plans to reform the NHS must be made with this horrifying truth in mind.'  

Nicola Brook of Broudie of Jackson Canter solicitors representing Covid 19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK, said: ‘The inquiry has heard repeatedly from those at the top that blanket DNRs were not appropriate and that there was no directive in place.  The bereaved families have known for a long time that the realities on the ground were very different.  Their worst fears have now been confirmed but this brings with it more questions, if it happened at this trust, did it happen at the trust where my loved one was?'