Ethics Group

Early in the pandemic the Southwest Regional Health & Social Care Ethics Reference Group (known as the SW Ethics Reference Group) was convened by NHSE&I to support and advise on ethical decision-making regarding prioritisation of demands and provision of health care in the Southwest of England in the context of, and in response to the national emergency response to the pandemic.

The SW Ethics Reference Group, was an expert advisory group mostly comprised of experienced health and social care practitioners, it was not intended to remove or usurp any of the existing responsibilities and accountabilities of practitioners, providers and commissioners of health and social care. Its outputs were advisory to these groups.  It was also not intended to replace local ethics groups.

In 2021 the SW Ethics Reference Group evolved into the South West Clinical Senate Ethics Advisory Group (SWSEAG) and now operates as part of the South West Clinical Senate.  SWSEAG is convened in response to requests for advice on ethical issues from NHSE&I clinical leaders.  The members of SWSEAG include Senate council members, relevant Senate assembly members, previous members of the SW Ethics Reference Group, and other stakeholders as appropriate.  SWSEAG produces reports endorsed by the Senate for the NHSEI clinical leaders and these are published on the Senate website unless there is a specific reason not to do so.

SW Ethics Reference Group TOR

SW Ethics Reference Group FAQs

SW Ethics Reference Group Notes on Restoration of Services

SW Ethics Reference Group Notes on Patient Choice

Moral Distress Information Sheet from the UKCEN