Clinical Ethics Consultation

It is often difficult to make health care decisions for yourself or for someone you love. It can be especially hard for families entrusted with making decisions for another person who does not have the capacity to decide for him or herself. Ethics consultation may help with a process to work through a difficult ethical decision and provide support or assistance if needed.

How Does an Ethics Consultation Help?

• Helps patients and families, staff and physicians identify, analyze and resolve moral conflicts that occur in the hospital • Provides an opportunity to discuss the conflicts that occur in making decisions about health care in a safe, reflective place People who help with an ethics consultation do not tell you what to do. They are a resource to help you clarify your own thoughts, feeling and concerns. They help to resolve conflicting values and feelings, and to achieve the best possible outcome in difficult circumstances.

When should I ask for an Ethics Consultation?

If there is conflict, uncertainty about whether an issue is an ethical one, an ethical dilemma where there appears to be two or more ‘right things to do’, or a situation causing moral or ethical distress, first talk to your health care team to problem-solve. If more help is needed, request an ethics consultation.

Who do I Contact?

The clinical ethicist at ext. 42251

Discussions Around Medical Assistance in Dying

For information on Medical Assistance in Dying, please speak with your care team.