EWJ Dec 2023 - Journal - Page 26
all). Put shortly, the argument that consent / a
workaround for consent is not needed is that doctors
should not be seeking to undertake DNC testing unless they properly consider that the person is brain
stem dead. And if a person is, indeed, brain stem dead,
seeking consent by proxy (for a child) or thinking
about their best interests for MCA purposes to testing is legally meaningless.
Mr Andrew Meredith
Consultant ENT Surgeon
MA, MBBS, FRCS, DLO
Mr Meredith is a Consultant ENT Surgeon recently
retired from Queen Alexandra Portsmouth.
There is no doubt that involving those close to the
person is hugely important, but I suggest that it is extremely important to know the basis upon which such
involvement is taking place: seeking consent (in
relation to a child), consulting or informing?
He has extensive experience in ear, nose and throat problems
including:
Noise induced hearing loss
General ENT personal injury
Otology
Rhinology
Diving and ear, nose and throat disorders
References
Sleep disorders
1. https://www.mentalcapacitylawandpolicy.org.uk/wp-con-
Obstructive sleep apnoea
tent/uploads/2020/03/Brain-death-talk-VBQC.pdf
Special clinical interests in Audiology
2. https://www.mentalcapacitylawandpolicy.org.uk/book-review-the-medico-legal-development-of-neurological-death-inthe-uk/
Since 1990 Mr Meredith has examined approximately 1200 patients
with possible noise induced hearing loss, and approximately 200
patients in personal injury cases. He has experience of conference
with council in approximately 50 cases and has attended court as an
3. https://aomrc.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2016/04/Code_
Practice_Confirmation_Diagnosis_Death_1008-4.pdf
as expert witness in 9 cases.
Consultations:
4. https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/diagnosis-death-neurological-criteria-infants-less-two-months-old-clinical-guideline.
Sussex Premier Health
The Ridge, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, TN37 7RE
5. https://profedu.blood.ca/en/organs-and-tissues/practicesguidelines-and-initiatives/deceased-donation/brain-based-definition-death#:~:text=This%20new%20Canadian%20clinical
%20practice,the%20ability%20to%20breathe%20independently.
Contact Details
Tel: 01825 872162 - Email: peterdesterre@aol.com
Contact address: Candytuft, Stalkers Lane,
East Hoathly, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6QS
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37131032/
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
24
DECEMBER 2023