Abstract

Herbert, Dilinie Clinical ethics services exist or are being established in many healthcare institutions around the world. There is growing interest in Australia to follow this international trend, and resources have been developed to support the establishment of clinical ethics services in Australian institutions. When a clinical ethics service is being developed in an institution, important steps include involving key staff, gaining executive support, and identifying champions who will promote the service within the organisation. The success of a clinical ethics service depends predominately on its capacity to address ethically challenging situations through multi-disciplinary insight, and on the support and engagement of the health professionals within the relevant healthcare institution.