Good Medical Practice in Paediatrics and Child Health

Good Medical Practice - May 2002you provide or arrange. You must not refuse or delay treatment because you believe thatpatients’ actions have contributed to their condition.• Paediatricians should pay due regard to the domestic, sociological, environmental andgenetic dimensions of the health of children 6 .• Paediatricians should be aware of religious and ethnic differences and be prepared toaccommodate these where this does not compromise the well-being of the child or youngperson. There are particular difficulties, for example, where permission for blood transfusionis withheld, and the paediatrician must be familiar with the ethical and legal pathways fordealing with this situation.• The interests and well-being of the child should always be paramount.6. If you feel that your beliefs might affect the advice or treatment you provide, youmust explain this to patients, and tell them of their right to see another doctor.7. You must try to give priority to the investigation and treatment of patients on thebasis of clinical need.8 You must not refuse to treat a patient because you may be putting yourself at risk. Butif patients pose a risk to your health or safety you should take reasonable steps to protectyourself before investigating their condition or providing treatmentUnacceptable practice:• Prejudicial behaviour that is distressing to parents and families• Repeated preferential treatment of families, to the detriment of others, based on anythingother than clinical need and available treatmentTreatment in emergencies9 In an emergency, you must offer anyone at risk the treatment you could reasonably beexpected to provide.• Paediatricians who are on call must take all reasonable steps to ensure that they areimmediately contactable and readily available for emergencies or that an appropriatelyexperienced colleague can provide appropriate cover at a similar level of expertise.9