Ethics and Legal principles

Question 1

What are the Fraser guidelines?

Answer 1

Doctor can proceed to give advice and treatment provided the following criteria are satisfied:

Girl understands advice (although under 16)

Cannot persuade her to inform parents or allow him to inform parents

That she is likely to continue having intercourse with or without contraception

Unless she receives advice, physical mental health or both are likely to suffer

best interests require contraceptive advice, treatment or both without parental consent

Question 2

What 3 components does consent involve

Answer 2

Voluntary - must be made by the person themselves and not influenced by pressure From medical staff, friends or family

Informed - given all the information in terms of what the treatment involves, including the risks and benefits and whether there are reasonable alternative treatments + what will happen if the treatment doesn’t go ahead

Capacity- the person must be capable of giving consent, which means they understand the information given to them and can use it to make an informed decision

Question 3

What are the criteria for abortion?

Answer 3

1. pregnancy has not exceeded its twenty-fourth week and the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy was terminated, of injury to physical/mental health of the pregnant women/children of her family
2. termination is necessary to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman
3. continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman, greater than if the pregnancy was terminated
4. there is substantial risk that if the child were born, it would suffer from physical/mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped

Question 4

What is a foetus?

Answer 4

8+ post fertilisation

not a person, no direct right to life, not directly protected by human rights