This book from the British Medical Association offers comprehensive practical guidance on the ethical and legal issues arise in the health care of patients under 18 years of age.
The care of children and young people is a frequent area of enquiry to the BMA’s Medical Ethics Department. This book reflects the questions most commonly raised by health professionals, including questions about consent, refusal of treatment and confidentiality. As well as covering the issues doctors face every day, it offers advice about dealing with exceptional cases, for example where there is disagreement about whether treatment should be given, or where the treatment itself is controversial or innovative.
Written with advice from an expert advisory group of eminent paediatricians, ethicists and legal experts, its contents include:
- An ethical approach to treating children and young people
- The law on children, consent and medical treatment
- Confidentiality
- Involving children and assessing a child’s competence
- Refusal of treatment and decisions not to treat
- Mental health care of children and young people
- Sensitive or controversial procedures
- Research and innovative treatment
- Health care in schools
- Summary of good practice
The guidance covers the legal position in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, and is essential reading for health professionals involved in the care of children. It will also be of interest to patients and their parents, lawyers, health service managers and policy makers.
