查看文章

The first edition of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) document ‘Withholding or Withdrawing Life Saving Treatment in Children: A Framework for Practice’was published in 1997 and was one of the first documents produced by the newly-formed College. The first edition followed a series of workshops, public meetings and discussions in the Ethics Advisory Committee. There was consultation with a wide range of clinicians, representatives of faith groups and parents’ groups and from individuals with disabilities themselves. Given the difficult and emotive nature of the subject, and the significant number and differing views of those consulted, the original document acknowledged the impossibility of achieving total consensus, but did identify common ground on which a framework could be built. The framework document was widely used; it did inform constructive debate and provided clarification …