Substance Misuse - Rights and Responsibilities

"The doctor must guard against personal prejudice colouring clinical attitude and practice."

The GMC has stated:

“It is …… unethical for a doctor to withhold treatment from any patient on the basis of a moral judgement that the patient’s activities or lifestyle might have contributed to the condition for which treatment was being sought. Unethical behaviour of this kind may raise the question of serious professional misconduct.”

The DoH guidelines state:

  • "All individuals are entitled to the same standard and range of treatments."

  • "Health Authorities, Primary Care Organisations …have a duty to provide treatment for drug misusers"

  • "All GPs treating individuals for drug misuse have a right to support from their relevant Primary Care Organisation."

 

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Written by:    Michael Harris

Last update: 07 May 2007

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