A doctor put a 'Do Not Resuscitate ' notice on a great-grandfather without any consultation as she believed it would have caused 'unnecessary distress ' to discuss the plan with him . Michael Richardson , 66 , a former metal polisher and gardener , died at James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston , Great Yarmouth , Norfolk , on October 27 2013 . He had been ill for several years with the lung condition pulmonary fibrosis . His widow Janet , 66 , accused medics of 'playing God with his life ' when she discovered the DNR notice had been placed on him without consultation . Michael Richardson , 66 , pictured with his wife Janet ( right ) , died at James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston , Great Yarmouth , Norfolk , on October 27 2013 . Dr Anna Blackburn , a consultant specialising in respiratory medicine at the hospital , said she made the decision when he was admitted on October 24 , as attempting to save him would have been 'futile ' and 'cruel ' In the inquest into his death today , Dr Anna Blackburn , a consultant specialising in respiratory medicine at the hospital , said she made the decision when he was admitted on October 24 . She said Mr Richardson , from Great Yarmouth , had little chance of surviving a cardiac arrest and attempting to save him would have been 'futile and cruel ' . ' I sat down and thought long and hard about it . 'We had discussed his condition , he cried and he seemed quite upset about how it would affect his wife . ' I felt bringing up resuscitation would be even more distressing for him ' , she said . Patient confidentiality meant she could not approach Mr Richardson 's family without first talking to him . The inquest heard the hospital 's policy at the time said it was not necessary to discuss a DNR decision if it would be 'unnecessarily burdensome ' for the patient . The hospital 's policy was not to discuss such a decision if it would be 'unnecessarily burdensome ' for the patient . This was changed in light of a 2014 Court of Appeal ruling and now states patients should be informed of the decision , unless this would cause physical harm . Dr Blackburn added : 'If I was faced with Mr Richardson today , I would have that discussion . ' Mrs Richardson challenged the doctor in the inquest , saying : 'My husband had a lot to live for even if it was for another week - I 'm sorry your decision was very , very wrong . ' Mr Richardson 's widow Janet , 66 , accused medics at James Paget University Hospital ( pictured ) of 'playing God with his life ' when she discovered the DNR notice had been placed on him without consultation . Yesterday , hospital staff described how they had initially rushed to save Mr Richardson after he suffered a cardiac arrest . But they stopped when the DNR notice was brought to their attention . Giving evidence , Mrs Richardson said her husband tried to discharge himself the day before his death . 'He said , `` I ca n't breathe , take me home - I ca n't stand it any more . They 're trying to kill me '' , ' she added . ' I said , `` I love you '' , and then he said he loved me too . That was the last time I saw him alive . ' I wish I 'd bundled him up and taken him home because at least if he was going to die , he was going to die with some dignity . ' The inquest continues .
Michael Richardson , 66 , died at James Paget University Hospital in 1983 . Dr Anna Blackburn put a ' Do Not Resuscitate ' notice on Mr Richardson . claiming it would have caused ' unnecessary damage ' to keep him alive . two days after his death , widow Janet found out about DNR notice . She said family had not consented and accused him of ' insulting God '