The context of acute and emergency medical care creates or shapes many ethical dilemmas. There is often little opportunity to establish a therapeutic relationship between patient and doctor, clinical information and information about the patient’s views values and wishes may be scanty, and treatment decisions may have life and death consequences. Research to inform how we improve ethical decision making and support the trust relationship between patients and the health professionals caring for them is an important strand of our clinical ethics research focus.

Current projects

Evaluation of the Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT) process 2017-2020. Funder National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) HS&DR programme

Trust, questioning and sharing of patient records in the acute medical context. 2014-2018 Wellcome personal fellowship Dr Zoe Fritz

Past projects

Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: an evidence synthesis 2013-2015. Funder NIHR HS&DR programme