NSW Health clinical ethics forums

The NSW Ministry of Health Co-hosts clinical ethics forums with local health districts and specialty networks. Each forum explores a specific clinical ethics topic through expert presentations and discussion of case scenarios.

Previous clinical ethics forums

• Safe and Sound: Developing an ethical approach to managing conflict between patients, families and health care professionals
  27 February 2020 | Northern Sydney Local Health District and Sydney Children's Hospital Network
  The forum explored the ethical, legal and clinical considerations healthcare facilities must contend with in managing conflict between patients, families and clinicians. Watch the forum with case studies at YouTube - Clinical Ethics Forum - 26 February 2020.
• Choice: exploring limits to respect for "individual autonomy" in healthcare
  24 October 2019 | South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and Sydney Childrens Health Network
  The forum discussed the increasing demand for choice in healthcare decision-making. The key note presentation with case studies can be viewed at YouTube - Clinical Ethics Forum - Choice: respecting the limits of "individual autonomy" in healthcare.
• Pregnancy and birth plans: what rights do we have?
  19 March 2019 | Western Sydney Local Health District
  The forum explored various perspectives about a patient’s clinical decision making regarding pregnancies and birth plans.
• When is it appropriate to cease or withhold treatment?
  13 November 2018 | Murrumbidgee Local Health District
  The forum discussed ethical, legal and practical issues regarding when it is appropriate to cease or withhold treatment.
• Info-Ethics: Interoperability, Bioinformatics and Health Data Sharing
  12 September 2018 | St Vincent’s Health Network
  The forum highlighted the many issues arising from the application of digital technology and the ethical considerations of sharing private health information. The forum was held in conjunction with 2018 Research Week on St Vincent’s Campus.
• The ethical implications of clinical genomics
  6 June 2017 | St Vincent's Health Network
  The forum centred on the use of genomic sequencing to assist in diagnosis and treatment.
• Something is not quite right- a forum for discussion about clinician impairment
  1 May 2017 | Murrumbidgee Local Health District
  The forum explored the ethical, legal and practical issues relating to working and supporting clinicians whose behaviour may be impaired.
• Considering justice - resource allocation in the context of scarcity
  10 November 2016 | South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
  The forum discussed ethical issues surrounding resource allocation in the context of scaricity through two keynote presentations, a case scenario and panel discussion. View the Introduction, Key note presentations and the Case scenario with panel discussion or the entire playlist.
• Critical ethical issues in paediatric end-of-life care
  18 March 2016 | Sydney Children’s Hospital Network
  The forum explored ethical issues in paediatric end of life care through a mix of presentations, case scenarios and interactive panel discussions.
• Assisted dying and voluntary euthanasia - dilemma and debate in the Australian context
  29 October 2015 | South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
• End of life care: when is enough enough?
  15 October 2015 | Western Sydney Local Health District
  This forum discussed issues surrounding End of Life Care and the vital conversations between health professionals and patients, families and carers.
• Ethics of the collection and use of post-mortem gametes
  22 July 2015 | Sydney Local Health District
  This forum discussed the complex and challenging issues surrounding the retrieval and use of gametes (sperm or egg) from deceased donors. This forum accompanied the release of GL2014_008: Organ Donation After Circulatory Death: NSW Guidelines. The guideline describes the necessary requirements for health facilities to undertake organ donation after circulatory (formerly cardiac) death (DCD) in NSW.
• Clinical ethics, healthcare and vulnerable populations
  25 March 2015 | St Vincent's Health Network
  This forum centred on the meaning of vulnerability and the specific issues faced by various vulnerable patient populations and the clinicians who treat them. The forum was a mix of presentations,case studies and interactive panel discussions.
• Forum on organ donation after circulatory death: evolving policy, practice, ethics and law
  16 June 2014 | NSW Health
  View keynote presentations and case studies:
  • Opening remarks: Dr Kerry Chant PSM
  • DCD Guideline 2014: Dr Deborah Verran
  • Case Discussion 1: Withdrawal in Operating Theatres
  • Ethical Implications: Professor Wendy Rogers
  • Case Discussion 2: DCD in a Marginal Donor
  • Heart Transplant: Professor Peter McDonald
  • Case Discussion 3: DCD- A Hypothetical of Multiple Issues
• A doctor's ethical checklist for clinical practice
  12 November 2014 | Hunter New England Local Hospital District
  This forum explored issues related to the roles and ethical obligations of doctors (in particular) when interacting with the pharmaceutical industry, and as gatekeepers of health care resources.
• Ethics, end of life and advance care planning clinical ethics forum
  27 September 2013 | South Easten Sydney Local Health District
  This forum discussed complex issues of end of life decisions, management and advance care planning in patients.

For more information about Clinical Ethics Forums please contact moh-ocho@health.nsw.gov.au.