Ethics is a branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of good and differentiating right from wrong. It involves critical thinking about how we live and act, analyzing how our values inform our behaviours, and giving reasons for why some choices are better than others.

Ethics at The Scarborough Hospital

Every day, decisions are made in healthcare which  may be considered ‘ethical’ in that they cannot be answered without appealing to values. For this reason, The Scarborough Hospital has a strong Ethics program that strives to produce a positive and healthy ethical climate in which:

• Basic ethical principles and moral reasoning are considered in making values-based decisions in patient care. 
• The hospital’s Mission, Vision and Values are applied and reinforced through policies, practices, activities and interactions.

For Patients and Families

Ethics consultations at TSH are provided by staff that have been educated and trained to assist with ethical problems that arise in healthcare settings. The goal is to move the decision making process forward while attending to ethical concerns point-by-point. The Ethicist is there to assist patients, families and healthcare providers to identify, clarify and work through ethical concerns.

When should I ask for a clinical ethics consultation?

If you find yourself struggling with a difficult ethical decision, or wondering what is the right thing to do in a complex patient care situation while at TSH, think about contacting the Clinical Ethics Consultation Service. Patients, family members or healthcare providers involved in the care of  patients at TSH may ask for a consultation by contacting the Clinical Ethics Consultation Service at 416-438-2911 ext. 8026. The service is available Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outside of these hours, please leave a message and an Ethics Consultant will get back to you.

Additional Ethics Resources:

Substitute Decision-Maker Brochure

Clinical Ethics Decision-Making Flyer

Making Decisions with Integrity