Healthcare Ethics: Noel Conway's Case on Assisted Dying Challenge

This report analyzes the case of Noel Conway, a terminally ill man who lost his assisted dying challenge. The report delves into the ethical considerations surrounding the case, utilizing Gibb's reflective cycle and PCS analysis to evaluate personal and professional values in healthcare. It examines the legal aspects, including the Equality Act 2010, and explores the implications of assisted suicide versus palliative care. The report highlights the importance of patient autonomy, ethical guidelines, and the role of healthcare professionals in end-of-life care. References to relevant literature and online resources are included to support the analysis and provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues presented by the case.

Noel Conway: Terminally - ill man loses assisted dying
challenge

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Gibb's reflective cycle.................................................................................................................1
PCS Analysis...............................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................2
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION
The case is about 68 year old man Noel Conway who is terminally ill and lost assisted
dying challenge in court of appeal. He is suffering from Motor neuron diseases and lives 23
hours of day of ventilator and therefore appealed for assisted suicide that is voluntary euthanasia.
He appealed in court for peaceful and dignified death which was rejected (Noel Conway:
Terminally-ill man loses assisted dying challenge, 2018).
MAIN BODY
Gibb's reflective cycle
Personal and professional values in social care play a crucial role in deriving way of
practising in different situation. In case of Noel. Assisted suicide is legal when there is consent of
family, patient, professional and care worker. I feel Equality Act 2010 supports patient will for
assistance suicide because it aims at providing equal care treatment to all patient according to
individuals consent. It is ethical to consider appeal of Noel for euthanasia as he struggles to have
dignified and peaceful death. According to Guo and Jacelon, 2014, nurses need to restrict
practice of sedation which are done to unconscious patient because it can life threatening in final
stages of palliative care. Further, nurse nee d to consult with multidisciplinary team for making
any changes in palliative care.
Ledger and et.al., 2013 stated that adhering to ethics in end of life care also focuses on
informed consent where patient is aware about every change in care plan and practices. In
accordance my professional value I evaluated that assisted suicide is done with the purpose of
relieving patient from incurable suffering and pain but personally I feel it is the practices which
causes more harm in comparison to good (CHAPTER 5: OPINIONS ON CARING FOR
PATIENTS AT THE END OF LIFE, 2016). Thus, it can be said that court of appeal rejection is
with the motive of providing appropriate care and adequate pain control to Noel for making him
live dignified and respectful life.
PCS Analysis
It focuses on three perspective which regulates practices of care workers with regard to
professional values for treating patient with respect, dignity and without discrimination.
Personally, Noel might will be feeling helpless being on ventilator and not being able to move
but it is the responsibility of care provider to ensure equal treatment of patient by focusing on
dynamic care practice. The rejected appeal denotes managing improvement in care practices of
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Noel for giving chance of recovery and his illness. Implication of care act 2014 and Equality Act
2010 which prevents discrimination and removal of barrier in care practices. The regulations are
enforced to regulate professional values health practitioners to provide significant care to service
users in control of their care and support.The act are governing bodes which helps practitioners
in managing safe and anti oppressive care services to all patients. Code of ethics are the
governing principles of cultural and social values because according to Davis, Schrader and
Belcheir, 2012, end of life is assisted when it is determined that care is impossible. Further,
nurses ned to seek autonomy of patients and should provide good communication and emotional
support to terminally ill patents like Noel Conway. Euthanasia is voluntary but is final call when
there are no practices that can aid in pain control.
CONCLUSION
The assessment summarize impact on personal and professional value of nurses with the
helps of two models that is Gibb's reflective cycle and PCS analysis.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Davis, S., Schrader, V. and Belcheir, M.J., 2012. Influencers of ethical beliefs and the impact on
moral distress and conscientious objection. Nursing ethics. 19(6). pp.738-749.
Guo, Q. and Jacelon, C.S., 2014. An integrative review of dignity in end-of-life care. Palliative
Medicine. 28(7). pp.931-940.
St Ledger, U. and et.al., 2013. Moral distress in end‐of‐life care in the intensive care
unit. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 69(8). pp.1869-1880.
Online
CHAPTER 5: OPINIONS ON CARING FOR PATIENTS AT THE END OF LIFE. 2016. [Online].
Available through: <https://www.ama-assn.org/sites/ama-assn.org/files/corp/media-
browser/code-of-medical-ethics-chapter-5.pdf>.
Noel Conway: Terminally-ill man loses assisted dying challenge. 2018. [Online]. Available
through: <https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-44628459>.
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