Medical Futility in Czech Paediatrics
Medical Futility in Czech Paediatrics

At the Edge of Law, Bioethics, and Medicine

Author(s): Helena Krejčíková
Subject(s): Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, International Law, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Ethics / Practical Philosophy
Published by: Trivent Publishing
Keywords: Medical Futility; paediatrics; end-of-life decision; decision making; paediatric palliative care; Law; Bioethics; Medical ethics; Charlie Gard; Alfie Evans
Summary/Abstract: In the Czech Republic, public debates regarding end-of-life decisions have only recently started. With no explicit legislative recognition of medical futility, clinical practice relies predominantly on a vague statutory definition of proper care and two non-binding guidelines, aimed however at adult patients. The situation in paediatrics is further complicated by the complex and often ambiguous legal regulation related to the process of decision making. In her contribution, the author introduces the Czech legal framework and clinical practice, including a new document prepared by the Paediatric Palliative Care Working Group on providing life-sustaining care, which would apply in cases similar to those of Charlie Gard and Alfie Evans.

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