Clinical ethics

Our clinical ethics committee considers the ethical aspects of clinical care and practice within the Trust.

It discusses and advises on general ethical issues and those concerning individual patients, as well as reviewing proposals to alter or create policies. It has an advisory rather than decision-making role. Membership of the committee is voluntary.

Examples of ethical issues include:

• the management of patients who are unable to give or withhold consent
• the withdrawing or withholding of treatment from patients who are critically ill
• the management of patients who have written advance directives (living will)

The clinical ethics committee is chaired by Mr Frank Dor, consultant transplant surgeon, and the deputy chairs are Dr Stephanie Cattlin, intensive care consultant, and Father Giles Pinnock, head of the Trust’s chaplaincy.

The committee has a varied membership, including a certain number of lay members. For example, current committee members include consultants, junior doctors, nurses, a GP, an imam, a priest and other lay members, including one who sits on the Lay Members’ Forum. This breadth of membership means the committee can offer a variety of perspectives in case discussions.

The committee rarely states the “right thing to do”, but provides an opportunity for confidential discussion and advice, along with a structured approach to decision-making.

The clinical ethics committee primarily responds to requests for support from staff. If you are a patient, or are related to a patient, and have questions or concerns about any aspects of clinical ethics at the Trust, your first ports of call should normally be the relevant clinical team, and the patient advice and liaison service (PALS).

Alternatively, you can contact the clinical ethics committee secretary, Fiona Williams, via email: fiona.williams27@nhs.net.