BMJ 2000;320:1285-1286 ( 13 May )

Editorials

Babies and consent: yet another NHS scandal

But it should lead to improvements in research governance within the NHS

News p 1291

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The chief medical officer of England has a slide that he often shows of a long list of scandals within the NHS. He must now add to his list the failures in the paediatric department in North Staffordshire Hospital (p 1291). A review of what happened in the hospital shows that the case is complex, but the story will probably play out in the media and in public consciousness as babies being entered into a dubious trial of a new treatment without their parents' consent.¹ The worst single accusation is that consent forms were forged, and the police and the General Medical Council are investigating that possibility. At best, the North Staffordshire episode will lead to an overdue improvement in research practice throughout the NHS. At worst, it will further undermine public confidence in the NHS and doctors and lead to a proliferation in bureaucracy that will increase the . . . [Full text of this article]

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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

NHS scandal Public Inquiry nothing less will do

Penny Mellor
bmj.com, 14 May 2000 [Full text]

What about an apology?

Elizabeth Miller
bmj.com, 14 May 2000 [Full text]

Change of Culture

Carl Henshall, et al.
bmj.com, 15 May 2000 [Full text]

Re: What about an apology?

Shy Keenan
bmj.com, 30 May 2000 [Full text]

Most consultations ...no

Adrian Midgley
bmj.com, 17 May 2000 [Full text]

A parent's view

Tony Pierce
bmj.com, 17 May 2000 [Full text]

Babies and consent:yet another NHS scandal

Rakesh Raja
bmj.com, 19 May 2000 [Full text]

A national ethics committee should be set up to avoid 'persona de proxy'

Asrar Rashid
bmj.com, 30 May 2000 [Full text]

Experience from ECMO trial may be relevant to the problems of parental recollection of consent

Diana Elbourne
bmj.com, 29 May 2000 [Full text]

Re: Experience from ECMO trial may be relevant to the problems of parental recollection of consent

Carl Henshall, et al.
bmj.com, 8 Jun 2000 [Full text]

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