Ethics - Children And Young People Flashcards
What age is it legally assumed that young people can make their own medical decisions?
16 in Scotland, 18 rest of UK.
What is meant by a Gillick-competent young person?
It is not enough that they should understand the nature of the advice which is being given: they must also have a sufficient maturity to understand what is involved.
Principles of best interests in relation to decision-making in children.
-Should consider views of the child/young person, so far as they can express them, includes any previously expressed preferences.
-the views of the parents
-the views or others close to the young person
-the cultural, religious or other beliefs and values of the child or parents
-the views of other healthcare professionals involved in providing care to the child or young person, and of any other professionals who have interest in their welfare
Which choice, if more than one option, will least restrict the child or young person’s future options.
Why was the case of Jodie and Mary complicated with regards to best interests?
- Doctors and parents disagreed.
- in the best interests of one child and not the other.
- it was a hard decision as both decisions involved death, and for the parents, if they had chosen to separate they would have been choosing to let one child die which was unfair on them. At least with keeping them together, they wouldn’t have had to choose between their children.
Why do parents who are Jehovah’s Witnesses come into conflict with medical professionals over blood transfusions?
Jehovah’s Witnesses regularly refuse transfusions for themselves and their children because they believe the procedure creates a risk of losing eternal salvation.
Howeve, doctors advocate for them as they can be life-saving.
What are ethical issues raised by living organ donation, euthanasia and clinical research in young people?
- Organ Donation - in Scotland under 16s cannot donate no matter what. In the rest of the UK, solid organ donation by living children is permitted. BMA were opposed, now support as long as valid consent. Do they know all the side-effects and risks and completely understand? Should they be putting themselves at risk when they are still developing?
- Euthanasia - Belgium lifted all age restrictions, Netherlands over 12s can get it with permission of parents. Does the child understand what it entails? Are there restrictions on this? Could they have recovered?
- Clinical Research - Only if the children themselves benefit from best possible treatment when ill. Should parents allow it when it could cause child discomfort or distress? ‘Only hope’.
Why can treatment go ahead even if child does no give consent? Use an analogies.
For adults, consent it like a key to a locked door. However, for minors, it is a bit like a flak jacket as their consent only unlocks one lock. You can have 3 keys; the child’s consent, the parents’ consent and the courts consent.
