Ethics

Patients, families and staff make difficult decisions all the time in hospital. These decisions may involve:

• patients, families or staff having different opinions or beliefs on treatment or care

• not being sure who is responsible for making decisions or choices

• planning for the future

Health care ethicists are members of your care team who can help you:

• decide what you should do

• explain why you should do it

• describe how you should do it

Our ethics team can help you and your family deal with problems and difficult decisions. We do not make decisions for people—we help you make your own decisions. We may make suggestions or offer guidance, but final decisions will always be yours to make.

Tell us if you would like an ethics consultation. They are available to all patients, families and substitute decision-makers on request. These consultations can help you make decisions about issues such as advanced care planning, wishes concerning tube feeding and managing end of life care.

To contact an ethicist or ethics facilitator, call 416-597-3422, ext. 3972 or 2250 or ask a member of your care team to help you.