Court of Appeal upholds GMC end of life guidance, UK
The guidance has been subjected to intense scrutiny, and the GMC welcomes the Court's recognition that it provides advice to ensure that patients are treated properly and according to good practice
It is clear that the GMC has a vital role to play in ensuring doctors know the standards that are expected of them by patients. The Court of Appeal has stated that it is "of the utmost importance that the Guidance should be understood and implemented at every level throughout the NHS and throughout the medical profession."
The guidance makes it clear that patients should never be discriminated against on the grounds of disability. The GMC has always said that causing patients to die from starvation and dehydration is absolutely unacceptable practice and unlawful. Today the Court has reinforced its position on these points.
Professor Sir Graeme Catto, President of the GMC, said "Patients should be reassured by this judgement which emphasises the partnership needed to resolve end of life issues. Our guidance makes it clear that patients should never be discriminated against on the grounds of disability. And we have always said that causing patients to die from starvation and dehydration is absolutely unacceptable practice and unlawful. Today the Court has reinforced our position on these points. In the light of the judgement we shall look at what further steps we can take to explain and promote good practice in this area"
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Press Office 020 7189 5454, Out of hours 020 7189 5444, fax: 020 7189 5401;
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The General Medical Council licenses doctors to practise medicine in the UK. Our purpose is summed up in the phrase: Protecting patients, guiding doctors.
The law gives us four main functions:
-- keeping up-to-date registers of qualified doctors
-- fostering good medical practice
-- promoting high standards of medical education
dealing firmly and fairly with doctors whose fitness to practise is in doubt
GMC (General Medical Council)
Curtea de Apel a susþine GMC sfârºitul vieþii de orientare, Marea Britanie - Court of Appeal upholds GMC end of life guidance, UK - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate