Joint Clinical Ethics & Research Committee
Corporate Ethics Program

The Brant Community Healthcare System is committed to providing care that meets or exceeds accepted standards. One of the many standards is to ensure the ethical care of patients and families.

The BCHS has an established Clinical Ethics & Research Committee whose purpose is to provide education, guidance and policy evaluations on philosophical and moral issues relating to clinical concerns and patient care.

The committee provides a forum where such issues can be openly discussed and recommendations may be made for implementation.

Membership of the Clinical Ethics & Research Committee consists of representation from:

• Administration
• Board of Governors
• Medical Staff
• Nursing Staff
• Hospital Leadership
• Pastoral Care
• Patient Care Leadership
• Social Work
• Community Members
• Nutrition Services

The Responsibilities of the Clinical Ethics & Research Committee include:

• To serve as an advisory body for the Boards of Governors, administrative and professional staff on the formulation of policies and/or guidelines dealing with ethical issues in clinical and patient care.
• To serve as a resource for the medical staff, nursing and allied health staff and patients, and/or families, in dealing with ethical questions related to hospitalization, treatment and research .
• To call upon external resources for consultation in the resolution of clinical ethical issues.
• To provide a forum for the discussion of clinical, ethical and moral questions and concerns that arise or affect the Hospitals but which are not dealt with systematically by any other Committee.
• To encourage and assist in the development of educational programs for medical, nursing, professional and administrative staff in the area of clinical ethics and research .
• To provide an opportunity for members of the Committee and through them other hospital staff to become sensitive to and knowledgeable about clinical ethical issues in medicine and health care.
• To review and approve research proposals.
• To promote inter-disciplinary exchange and dialogue.
• To promote and protect the rights of those involved in health care.

Clinical ethical and research cases may be referred to the Committee by physicians or any member of the hospital or staff. The leadership staff responsible for a care area addresses urgent clinical issues. The leadership staff may request that the Clinical Ethics & Research Committee meet to assist in resolving the issue.