Purpose

To provide a consultative, advisory and supportive mechanism assisting health professionals to make their own ethical decisions.

To facilitate and foster education aimed at preparing individuals to deal with ethical problems and conflicts in clinical practice.

Functions

To respond to requests from clinicians and managers for consultation on specific clinical dilemmas.

To promote discussion of ethical issues throughout the organisation.

Exclusions

The Clinical Ethics Advisory Group will not consider ethical aspects of research studies.  These should be referred to the relevant research ethics committee.

Accountability

The Clinical Ethics Advisory Group is accountable to the Clinical Board through its Chair.

Meetings

The Clinical Ethics Advisory Group will meet on a scheduled basis once a month to maintain a working relationship. 

Other meetings will be convened on an ad hoc basis to deal with specific consultations.

Quorum

Six (6) members.

Chair

The Chair will be recommended by the Clinical Board to the Chief Executive for appointment.

The Chair may nominate an alternate when he or she is unavailable to chair a particular meeting, or when it would be inappropriate for him or her to do so.

Membership

The Clinical Ethics Advisory Group will recognise the importance of a broad and representative membership.  Ideally, membership will comprise:

• An Ethicist

• Two SMOs (one external to Auckland District Health Board)

• A General Practitioner

• A Nurse

• A Maori Health Advisor

• An Allied Health Member

• A Lay Member

• A Manager

• Medical Representative

• Representative from Waitemata and Counties Manakau District Health Boards Clinical Ethics Advisory Groups.

From time to time however, the composition of the Clinical Ethics Advisory Group may be varied within the spirit of this membership provision and with the approval of the Chair of the Clinical Board.

Note:  If no member of the Group has a relevant legal background, the Committee will use the services of the ADHB Legal Department.

Appointments

The Clinical Ethics Advisory Group will appoint the Ethicist, external SMO and lay member with the approval of the Chair of the Clinical Board.

The term of appointment will be for two years on a ‘retainer’ basis, at which time each appointment will be formally reviewed.  The Clinical Ethics Advisory Group can reappoint with the approval of the Chair of the Clinical Board.
 

Term of Office

Appointment will normally be for a three-year term at least..
 

Resignation from the Clinical Ethics Advisory Group will be staggered to ensure continuity and succession.

Meeting Fees

ADHB Quality Manager is the budget holder and responsible manager for meeting fees appropriate to Ethicist and lay member participation.

Secretariat

The Secretary for the Clinical Ethics Advisory Group will be provided by GM Clinical Services.