Synopsis

The question of long-term ventilation for children with progressive conditions, such as muscular dystrophy or metabolic disease, is one of the enduring puzzles in paediatric ethics. Is it ethical to put a child on invasive mechanical ventilation when they will never be able breathe again on their own, and will inevitably die from their condition?  On the other hand, would it be ethical to deny ventilation, if the child’s parents want it? Can we be so sure that ventilation will be the wrong thing to do? In this Grand Rounds, we will present some key ethical principles and concepts that provide a way of thinking through these situations. We will then present a hypothetical but realistic case, and invite audience discussion.

Speakers

Professor John Massie is a consultant respiratory physician at RCH, and Clinical Lead of the Children’s Bioethics Centre

Professor Lynn Gillam is a clinical ethicist at RCH, and Academic Director of the Children’s Bioethics Centre