Assisted Suicide Guidance Task and Finish Group

Subject matter experts required

The RCN is looking for subject matter experts to be part of the Assisted Suicide Guidance Task and Finish Group, and nominations are now open. These experts will help develop a series of nursing practice case studies as part of our guidance to members regarding the current legal, ethical and professional debate around assisted suicide.

This guidance is being produced following the decision made by the RCN to move to a neutral position on assisted suicide after consulting with members, but it also reflects a growing public and political interest in the issue.

In Scotland, the End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill is reaching the end of the first stage of debate and other legislative work on end of life care has raised a number of issues for nursing practice and the public. The Director of Public Prosecutions (England & Wales) has previously issued guidance on the matter following a number of high profile cases – your case study materials will be used by the RCN to explore the implications for practice arising from that guidance and other legal and political developments across the UK.

The guidance will address issues such as communication, autonomy, decision making, and capacity and can be set in a variety of clinical contexts.

What are we looking for?

If you have the skills, experience and knowledge of this area and would like to help develop and advise on the content of this important resource, we would like to hear from you.

You will be an experienced practitioner who has substantial experience in discussing, planning and delivering high quality, evidence-based care in end of life situations in any setting. You will be able to succinctly describe practice and refer to current evidence for your area of practice.

While expert editorial support is being provided, successful applicants will have a good standard of written work and be an effective communicator. Previous experience in task and finish groups or writing guidance would be an advantage. Full author's credit will be given for any materials used in the guidance.

Timetable

12 November 2010 - close of nominations
25 November 2010 - interviews for subject matter experts
December 2010 - January 2011 - development of case study raw material

Subject matter experts will be required to attend two meetings at RCN HQ in London during the development of the case studies. Reasonable travel expenses will be paid to attend both the interviews and any meetings agreed as part of the project.

How to apply

To nominate yourself, please send a brief CV and a 250-300 word submission which outlines your suitability for the above work to Danielle Boyle at danielle.boyle@rcn.org.uk Nominations close at 5pm on 12 November 2010.

Please contact Tim Curry, Assistant Head of Nursing on 020 7647 3742 or email tim.curry@rcn.org.uk for more information.