This interdisciplinary collection presents valuable discourse and reflection on the nature of a good death. Bringing together a leading judge and other legal scholars, philosophers, social scientists, practitioners and parents who present varying accounts of a good death, the chapters draw from personal experience as well as policy, practice and academic analysis. Covering themes such as patients’ rights to determine their own good death, considering their best interests when communication becomes difficult and the role and responsibilities of health professionals, the book outlines how ethical healthcare might be achieved when dealing with assisted suicide by organizations and how end of life services in general might be improved. It will be of interest to students and academics working the area of medical law and ethics as well as health professionals and policy-makers.
Biography
Lynn Hagger is a lecturer in law at the University of Sheffield. Her research interests lie in health care generally and children's rights in particular. In parallel with her legal career, she has a 15-year history of non-executive involvement in the NHS during which time she has provided law and ethics training for a broad range of health professionals. She was Chairperson of the Sheffield Children's NHS Trust for nine years until 2008 Simon Woods is a senior lecturer at the Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences Research Centre (PEALS), University of Newcastle (UK) where he is the Deputy Executive Director and Director of Learning. PEALS is an ethics 'Think Tank' involved in research teaching and public engagement on the ethical and social implications of the life sciences. He is an established applied philosopher who specialises in social philosophy and bioethics. He has experience of working in major international bioethics research projects, and extensive experience as a teacher of bioethics.
’...there is a lot in this book to make you sit up and think.’ International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care News 'This timely inter-disciplinary collection advances our understanding of fundamental social challenges concerning, for example, the extent of rights of self-determination towards the end of life. The book has unity of focus rarely found in edited volumes. It is required reading for researchers, an invaluable resource for educators, and an exemplary demonstration of the ways in which law and ethics are interrelated.’ Steven D. Edwards, Swansea University, UK ’This book is a must read for anyone interested in the question of how we achieve 'a good death' in modern health care. It contains powerful personal testimonies alongside penetrating ethical and legal analysis. Despite the sophistication of the analysis it is written in an accessible and straightforward style.’ Søren Holm, University of Manchester, UK
