Inside the ethics committee

Yes I did! It was excellent as most of that series are.
I sat in the car at ADSA to hear the end.

Yes GrannyTwice I heard this while I was driving at work. Fortunately a long enough journey to hear the end. It was very moving. I'm so glad to live in a society where human life is valued and where there are mechanisms to examine ethical questions such as this.

Yes - weren't the parents amazing? And of course, the one thing that did not have to be put into the mix was money. It was particularly moving at the end to discover that, although their baby in the end couldn't be a donor, they had paved the way for it to happen later on, wasn't it.

And how lovely that they had a chance to spend time with both twins and take photos. I'm sure that will be something their daughter will want to hear about as she grows up.

Unfortunately I didn't catch the programme.

From what you say, the ventilation was carried out for very valid reasons.

I think perhaps a more difficult issue is one that I heard a doctor describe on a TV programme a while ago. He said that he often felt uncomfortable carrying out potentially painful and often distressing procedures on very premature babies when their chances of survival were extremely small. Additionally, he said that those few babies that did survive were likely to be profoundly disabled. He said that, as a doctor, he wanted to save life, and he understood the wish of many parents to do whatever was necessary to keep their child alive, but he felt torn in having to make such decisions. I really felt for him.

Eleo- you should try and catch it on iplayer. The issue of very premature babies and treatment is as you say very different and very complex. I can't even begin to want to put forward any opinion other than I hope parents in this situation have support and help from medical staff in helping then make such unbearable decisions

GrannyTwice I would very much like to listen to this. Had a quick look on iPlayer but couldn't find it so I'd be grateful if you would kindly point me in the right direction. Thank you!

Here is the link Joy. I think the programme will be repeated at 10.15pm tomorrow on Radio 4.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007xbtd/episodes/guide#b04bwcmm

Thanks grannytwice and nightowl.

It was an inspiring programme GrannyTwice, and reassuring to hear the depth of ethical exploration.

I hope there is a chance of it being used in the training of staff involved with maternity units.