1st Edition

Critically Ill Children and the Law Medical Decision-Making and the Best Interests Principle

By James Cameron Copyright 2024
250 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

250 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

250 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

A series of recent high-profile court cases has demonstrated the inadequacy of current laws in addressing issues relating to medical treatment decisions involving seriously ill children. The challenges of determining that life-sustaining medical treatment is not in a young child’s best interests have resulted in criticism of the best interests principle. This book explores the theoretical... Read more

Introduction;  Part A: Framing the issue: Has the pendulum swung too far?;  1. Who is responsible for identifying and upholding a child’s best interests?;  2. Upholding minimum standards rather than enforcing best interests;  Part B: When and how are a child’s best interests upheld in practice?;  3. The application of the best interests principle by judges; upholding undefined interests;  4. Qualitative research with doctors; balancing issues beyond the child’s interests;  5. Comparing the approaches of judges and doctors; the need to retain but further explain the best interests principle;  Part C: A comprehensive explanation: Upholding a child’s best interests through a human rights-based approach;  6. What is a human rights-based approach?;  7. How a human rights-based approach may inform decisions;  8. Applying a human rights-based framework; Conclusion;  Appendix 1;  Appendix 2

Biography

James Cameron undertakes legal policy and law reform work for the Victorian Government in Australia. James completed his PhD at the University of Melbourne and spent time as a visiting student at Oxford University.