A Little Bit of Heaven for a Few? A Case Analysis

Abstract

This is an analysis of an anonymized case relating to ethical aspects of hospice discharge. The authors apply one framework (the ETHICS framework) to structure the analysis.

Keywords:

• clinical ethics
• framework for analysis
• ethical principles
• virtues

Title from Clark et al. (2005).

Title from Clark et al. (2005).

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank members of the St Christopher's Clinical Ethics Committee and colleagues from Kingston Hospital Clinical Ethics Committees and from Princess Alice Hospice Clinical Ethics Committee who contributed to the case discussion at the CEC training day. We would also like to thank Professors Malcolm Payne, Paul Wainwright and Penney Lewis who provided comments that contributed to the development of this paper. Ann Gallagher would also like to acknowledge the support of the National Research Ethics Service who provided funding to attend the Imperial College applied clinical ethics course.

Notes

Title from Clark et al. (2005).

²The Liverpool Care of the Dying Pathway is a quality improvement framework for those who are dying. See <http://www.mcpcil.org.uk/liverpool_care_pathway> (accessed 19 June 2008).

³See <http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page = 7519> (accessed 3 June 2008).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ann Gallagher

Ann Gallagher is Senior Research Fellow in the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences, Kingston University and St George's University of London. She is a member of several clinical and research ethics committees and of the editorial and advisory boards of Nursing Ethics and Ethics & Social Welfare. Her research and publications are in the field of applied and professional ethics

Nigel Sykes

Nigel Sykes is Medical Director, St Christopher's Hospice and Honorary Senior Lecturer, King's College London