The purpose of the CEAG will be to promote the delivery of consistently high standards of ethical clinical practice throughout the hospital group.
The CEAG’s role will be supportive and advisory.
Clinical decisions will continue to be made by individual employees, teams and existing decision-making structures in partnership with patients; but where this is difficult or complex, the group will take referrals in accordance with its terms of reference, meet to discuss cases and offer advice.
Role summary
CEAG members from a multidisciplinary and multiprofessional background will participate in discussions of ethically challenging cases referred by clinical teams.
Members will contribute their professional or personal perspectives, help explore the moral dimensions of difficult decisions, and support the development of clear, reasoned advisory outputs.
This is a voluntary role, ideal for individuals passionate about clinical ethics, reflective practice, and improving patient care.
Benefits
CEAG membership would offer meaningful and professionally enriching benefits:
Personal professional development (supporting professional activities)
- Regular exposure to clinical ethical dilemmas across a range of specialties.
- Reflective, analytical, and structured decision-making skills that would enhance everyday clinical practice.
- Opportunities for training and learning, including attendance at the UK Clinical Ethics Network (UKCEN) annual conference.
- Contribution to an active, multidisciplinary and multiprofessional group.
Intellectually stimulating ethical debate
- Deep, thoughtful discussions with colleagues from varied professional backgrounds.
- Engagement with complex questions that go beyond routine clinical decision making.
- A safe, respectful platform for exploring uncertainty, disagreement, and the moral dimensions of care.
Contribution to better patient care
- Support and advise clinical teams within UHT, helping them to develop transparent, compassionate, and ethically robust decision-making skills.
- Support teams experiencing moral distress or conflicting viewpoints during patient care.
- Shape the development of a new and valued CEAG for our hospitals.
- Support all UHT clinical teams to develop and improve ethical confidence and literacy.
Membership
We are seeking up to 20 committed members from a range of different backgrounds. We would welcome interest from:
- Senior clinicians from a variety of specialties.
- Senior nurses and allied health professionals.
- Resident doctor representation (trainee, locally employed or SAS doctor)
- Individuals with experience in law, safeguarding, or related fields.
- Faith/chaplaincy representatives.
- Lay representation.
- Management representation.
- Academics with an interest in clinical ethics.
Prospective CEAG members should have some interest and experience of ethical decision-making, but you do not require prior ethics training or qualifications.
We are looking for colleagues who are thoughtful, reflective, willing to engage, and interested in developing their understanding of clinical ethics.
When selecting members, the CEAG working group will consider the required core competencies of a CEAG.
Expectations of members
- Permission by your line manager (if relevant) to attend, either through release from other duties, time-shifting, attendance in SPA time (medical staff), or some other workable arrangement
- If expenses are involved for external members, means of reimbursement will be considered
- Attendance at meetings every two months (with occasional urgent meetings for time‑sensitive cases) – minimum attendance 75%
- Willingness to read case description in advance and contribute to a summary of the ethical issues.
- Contribute constructively to discussion with a commitment to respectful and professional interaction, psychological safety, and confidentiality.
- Participation in CEAG induction and training day (18 June 2026) with a continued professional development focus on clinical ethics
How to apply
Please submit a completed CEAG expression of interest form. Applications should be emailed to: [email protected]
Closing date: 24 April 2026
Term of office
- Standard term: four years, renewable by mutual agreement
- Resident doctor positions: fixed term up to two years
- Chair/Vice‑Chair roles: three‑year term, renewable once (elected per TOR)
- Lay and external members must sign a confidentiality agreement
Confidentiality and conduct
All members must maintain strict confidentiality in line with UHT policies and declare any conflicts of interest as they arise.
UKCEN core competencies
Values
- Tolerance, patience and compassion
- Honesty, fair mindedness, self-knowledge, transparency and reflection (including recognition of personal limitations)
- Courage and the willingness to advocate (e.g. for weaker or vulnerable persons)
- Prudence and humility (including recognition of personal biases)
- Integrity (i.e. commitment to ethical aims, even when it might be more convenient to do otherwise)
Skills**
- Active listening
- Ability to recognise and discuss moral conflicts within the clinical situation
- Ability to understand the moral perspective of all parties
Knowledge
- Basic understanding of ethical theory/reasoning
- Awareness of the position of the CEAG in the hospital framework and links to clinical governance
- Relevant basic knowledge of clinical terms and disease processes
- Beliefs and perspectives of patients and staff
- Relevant law, professional standards, local policies
*Adapted from: Larcher et al, Core Competencies for Clinical Ethics Committees. Clinical Medicine 2010; 10(1): 30. This summary was prepared by the UKCEN in June 2021.
**Skill types can be summarised as ethical assessment skills, interpersonal, and operational skills.