BMA Comment On New Guidance On Treating Premature Babies, UK

November 19, 2006 – 5:05 pm | posted in Pediatrics, Pregnancy

Commenting on the Nuffield Council’s new report on treating premature babies, Dr Tony Calland, the BMA’s Chairman of the Medical Ethics Committee, said:

“Much of the Nuffield Council’s new report echoes existing best practice and the BMA’s advice. However the BMA is concerned about its core recommendations about time limits for providing intensive care treatment to premature babies.

“The BMA believes that blanket rules do not help individual parents or their very premature babies. Each case should be considered on its merits and its own context. While we believe that not all patients - including babies - benefit from medical intervention if survival is unlikely, it is important that each patient’s circumstances are assessed independently. We therefore cannot agree with stringent cut-off points for treatment. As the report points out, many of the most difficult cases are only resolved in the courts and that seems unlikely to change despite the report’s recommendation to avoid it.

“The BMA is opposed to euthanasia and therefore we agree that the active ending of life of newborn babies should not be allowed. The BMA also agrees that pregnant women cannot be forced to undergo treatment for the benefit of their unborn child.”

Popularity: 3% [?]