§ 27. Mr. Shepherdasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the inconvenience caused to hospitals in having to seek recourse to the courts for permission to use blood where objections are raised, he will give authority to hospitals to make use of plasma without such procedures.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonHospital authorities have in fact been advised not to resort to the courts in such cases but to rely on the clinical judgment of the consultants concerned after full discussion with the parents.
§ Mr. ShepherdDo not some hospitals feel that there is not sufficient ground for so doing? Will he draw to the attention of hospitals the fact that they are entitled 893 to use blood when their clinical judgment determines?
§ Mr. RobinsonI will see if any further guidance is needed, but I am advised that if he obtained the written supporting opinion of a colleague that a patient's life was in danger, and an acknowledgment from the parents that they refused consent, despite their having been given an explanation of the danger, a doctor would run little risk in a court of law if he acted with due professional competence and in accordance with his own professional conscience.