Making the (Business) Case for Clinical Ethics Support in the UK

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Bioethics
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• Clinical ethics committees are declining in the UK.
• There is a need for robust clinical ethics support services in hospitals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide guidance for developing a business case for clinical ethics support.
• To support healthcare professionals in establishing these services.
• To contribute to the academic discourse on clinical ethics support.

Main Methods:

• Review of academic literature and governmental/professional reports.
• Analysis of documents and annual reports from existing UK clinical ethics support services.
• Inclusion of extracts from a proposal submitted to a Trust Board.

Main Results:

• A need for evidence-based investment in clinical ethics in the UK.
• A perception shift is required, viewing clinical ethics support as an investment in staff.
• Concerns exist regarding the optional availability of clinical ethics support.

Conclusions:

• Investment in clinical ethics is crucial for wider implementation in UK hospitals.
• Clinical ethics support should be framed as an investment in healthcare staff.
• The optional nature of current services requires re-evaluation.