This article describes a new model for ethics support for Capital Health (a health region in Nova Scotia). With its emphasis on building a culture of ethics, many innovative elements are integral to this model and its future success. Particular emphasis is on organizational healthcare ethics and meaningful participation. Concerns about volunteer burden, urban and rural ethics needs, and varying exposure to prior ethics support will also be met by this model.
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References
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Capital Health exists within the largest integrated academic health district in Atlantic Canada.It consists of the Halifax Regional Municipality and the western portion of Hants County in Nova Scotia. Capital Health comprises nine healthcare facilities and several integrated programs and services, providing core health services to about 40 percent of the population of Nova Scotia and tertiary and quaternary acute care services to residents of Atlantic Canada. Traveling from Halifax to the outlying healthcare facilities can take up to two hours. Approximately 8,500 persons work with Capital Health.
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GoodsteinJDCarneyB. Actively engaging organizational ethics in healthcare: Four essential elements. Journal of Clinical Ethics1999; 10(3): 224–229.
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SchickICMooreS. Ethics committees identify four key factors for success. HEC Forum1998; 10(1): 75–85.
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This would coincide, for example, with some of the recommendations made in: DownieJSherwinS. Feminist healthcare ethics consultation. HEC Forum1993; 5(3): 165–175.
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Capital Health and the Department of Bioethics have a collaborative partnership, which enables Capital Health to access ethics expertise, direction and support. Christy Simpson and Jeff Kirby are currently the collaboration consultants for this partnership.
