Ethics

Part of the RCPCH Conference Online 2021 programme, this session will explore the vital issue of child health, ethics and law.

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges acknowledges the importance of Gillick competency, a well established legal principle which recognises the evolving maturity and individuality of children. Read the full statement attached.

"It’s been another extraordinary week and there are many more in front of us. I hope you got some time over the Easter weekend to rest and get a break." Russell addresses members in his weekly message.

This ethical framework is a modification of guidance developed for treatment decisions relating to adults. The principles relating to decisions for children in the setting of the pandemic are the same as those for adults. The framework emphasises that decisions should be ethically consistent and app...

Conflict can arise between health professionals and the parents of children not only where there is disagreement on the withdrawal or withholding of life sustaining treatment but also in more general routine care. In this paper for paediatricians and other health professionals, published in the Arch...

The RCPCH has annual income in excess of £15m per year with expenditure of a similar size. The College reserves and cash balances have increased in recent years. This policy sets out how these balances can be invested.

Our acceptance and refusals of donations policy, which you can download below, sets out robust safeguards for the engagement with commercial organisations.

"As healthcare professionals involved in the care of babies, children and young people, the priority has to be the child", says RCPCH President. This case is extremely difficult for all involved; heartbreaking for his parents and emotionally challenging for the doctors and nurses involved in treatin...

​Paediatricians and other clinicians often have to take very difficult decisions while acting in strict accordance with the law and with sensitivity towards the customs and beliefs practiced by their patients and their patients' families. These resources are intended to support the training and crit...

The overwhelming majority of RCPCH respondents to a 2016 consultation said that RCPCH should accept funding from commercial organisations including formula milk companies (FMC) and allow them to advertise specialist products, subject to a robust set of safeguards being in place.