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Development of Guidelines for the Care of People in Post-Coma Unresponsiveness
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- » Release of the Guidelines
- » Background Information
- » Draft Guidelines
- » Functions of the Post-Coma Unresponsiveness Working Party
- » Timeline
- » Post-Coma Unresponsiveness Working Committee Membership
- » Further information
Release of the guidelines
The Guidelines were officially launched on 19 June 2008, and are now available to download. Copies of the guidelines will be sent to all those who made a submission as part of the public consultation list. Should you wish to be included on the mailing list, and can be ordered by phoning National mailing and marketing on 02 62691000.
Download publication
- » Ethical Guidelines for the Care of People in Post-Coma Unresponsiveness (Vegetative State) or a Minimally Responsive State (PDF, 846kb)
- » A Guide for Families and Carers of People with Profound Brain Damage (PDF, 639kb)
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Background Information
On 15 May 2000, the New South Wales Health Department wrote to the Department of Health and Ageing seeking assistance from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in the development of guidelines on the diagnosis of persistent vegetative state (now called post-coma unresponsiveness [PCU]).
NHMRC accepted the task as a two-stage joint project to be undertaken jointly by the previous Health Advisory Committee (HAC) and the Australian Health Ethics Committee (AHEC). In the first stage HAC, through a public consultation process, developed an Information Paper covering the appropriate diagnosis of PCU.
Post-Coma Unresponsiveness ( Vegetative State): A Clinical Framework for Diagnosis, was endorsed by Council in December 2003 and included a brief section on continuing care. Following the release of this document, AHEC undertook additional guidelines on the continuing care of people in PCU or a minimally responsive state.
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Draft guidelines
Two draft documents were developed: Ethical Guidelines for the Care of People in Post-Coma Unresponsiveness (Vegetative State) or a Minimally Responsive State,and A Guide for Families and Carers of People with Profound Brain Damage. The guidelines were released for public consultation in July 2007, and were circulated widely to identified stakeholders as well as being advertised nationally in newspapers and professional journals.
Public consultation on the draft guidelines closed in September 2007.
For a copy of the draft guidelines please contact the NHMRC.
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Functions
The PCU Working Committee will provide advice to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NHMRC about the care of people with post-coma unresponsiveness (PCU)- diagnosed in accordance with the NHMRC’s Post-Coma Unresponsiveness (Vegetative State): A clinical framework for diagnosis (2003)- and people in a minimally responsive state (MRS).
This advice will take the form of draft ethical guidelines. In developing the draft guidelines the Working Committee will:
- Examine the ethical, legal, social and clinical issues associated with the care of people in PCU and MRS from their perspectives, the perspectives of those who care for them, and those of their family members or guardians.
- Consider the best available evidence, including relevant international guidelines.
- Undertake public consultation in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 and have regard to all submissions received.
- Determine the need for additional documents for wither the community and/or carers.
- Provide regular progress reports to AHEC and to the CEO.
- Present the final draft guidelines to AHEC for consideration.
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Timeline
The Working Party will complete its role and functions during the 2006 – 2009 Triennium.
Post-Coma Unresponsiveness Working Committee Membership
| Dr Nicholas Tonti-Filippini | Chair / AHEC Member |
| Reverend Prof John Morgan | Religious / ethics expertise |
| Ms Margaret Bramwell | Social Worker |
| Ms Diane Chamberlain | Nurse (Critical Care) |
| Mr Julian Gardner | Guardian |
| Dr Peter Greenberg | Physician |
| Ms Michele Kosky | Consumer representative |
| Dr William Silvester | Intensive care |
| Assoc Prof John Watson | Neurologist |
Ms Adelle Whalan | Nurse (General Care) |
A/Prof John Olver | Rehabilitation |
Rev. Dr. Gerald Gleeson | AHEC Member |
Dr Mark Deuble | Palliative Care specialist |
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Further information
For more information please contact the Project Officer:
Postal address | Project Officer – Post-Coma Unresponsiveness |
Email address | |
Telephone | (02) 6217 9070 |
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