BMA Q and A: FGM, resuscitation and armed conflict

BMA medical ethics committee chair John Chisholm answers your questions It was the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM (female genital mutilation) this month. What role do doctors have in eradicating this practice? Doctors have a vital role in preventing FGM and in addressing the physical and psychological needs of women and girls who have undergone FGM. New measures were introduced last year aimed at stopping the practice, including a statutory duty to report known FGM in under-18s in England and Wales, with which doctors need to be familiar. A helpful e-learning tool was also developed covering communication skills, safeguarding issues, and the clinical presentation and management of FGM. Ensuring there are adequate specialist FGM mental health services for women and girls is the next challenge. I am interested to hear how new measures are working in practice and would welcome members’ comments and suggestions.   Do you have any advice for doctors dealing with sensitive decisions about do not attempt resuscitation? I would advise doctors to read the joint BMA, Royal College of Nursing and Resuscitation Council (UK) guidance Decisions Relating to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. It identifies the key ethical and legal principles that should inform all CPR decisions. A revision of the latest edition is under way following a legal judgment, Winspear v City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, which provides some clarity on what it means to not be &ls...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news