Ethics involves making decisions where the right or best answer is hard to find, or where people have serious differences of opinion about what is right and wrong.
HHHS Ethics Committee
HHHS has established an Ethics Committee, that can assist individuals, families and staff to work through difficult decisions with priority feedback or information.
An ethics consultation is a meeting with professional staff and community representatives to help make the best decision possible. An ethics consultation does not take away the patient’s or their substitute decision maker’s right to make choices and decisions about care.
- HHHS Ethics Committee can assist individuals, families, and staff through difficult decisions with priority feedback or information.
- Ethics involves making decisions where the right or best answer is hard to find, or where people have serious difference of opinions about what is right and wrong.
- A consultation is a meeting with professional staff and community representatives to help make the best decisions possible.
- An ethics consultations does not take away the patient's or their substitute decisions maker's right to make choices and decisions about care.
Who can request an ethics consultation?
- Patients
- A patient's family/friend
- HHH staff members
Who may attend an ethics consultation?
- Patient
- Patient substitute or decision maker
- Family
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Allied health professionals
- Administration
- Clergy
- Educators
When should an ethics consultation be considered?
When a patient/family/staff member needs help to consider all of the issues and facts of a decision.
What will happen at the ethics consultation?
The team will:
- Meet and review the situation and identify the issues / concerns
- Share information
- Discuss options, alternatives, and choices
- Answer questions and share concerns
- Provide guidance
Additional information
Ethics consultations are confidential unless there is any threat of harm or abuse to a patient, staff, or family member. For more information, or to request a consultation, please advise your health care provider or reach out directly to ethics@hhhs.ca.
