Manchester University Press
3 Why care about carers?
Abstract
This chapter considers why we should care about carers and engages with different theoretical approaches to recognising the caring relationship and the implications of this for those involved in such relationships. In particular the chapter considers an approach grounded in the ethic of care and one based on relational autonomy. The chapter engages with an area of Irish health law where carers are clearly excluded from the legal framework – the mental health system. The mental health system is a useful case-study as it illustrates the complexities around balancing the interests of carers and cared for persons. The chapter concludes that it is important to care about carers, but doing so must be in a manner which continues to respect the distinct individual rights of each of the parties to the caring relationship.
Abstract
This chapter considers why we should care about carers and engages with different theoretical approaches to recognising the caring relationship and the implications of this for those involved in such relationships. In particular the chapter considers an approach grounded in the ethic of care and one based on relational autonomy. The chapter engages with an area of Irish health law where carers are clearly excluded from the legal framework – the mental health system. The mental health system is a useful case-study as it illustrates the complexities around balancing the interests of carers and cared for persons. The chapter concludes that it is important to care about carers, but doing so must be in a manner which continues to respect the distinct individual rights of each of the parties to the caring relationship.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Contributors vii
- Series editor’s foreword x
- Introduction 1
-
Part I Context and care
- 1 Reproductive justice in Ireland 9
- 2 Conscientious objection, harm reduction and abortion care 24
- 3 Why care about carers? 41
-
Part II Rights and responsibilities
- 4 The limits of autonomy 55
- 5 If they can consent, why can’t they refuse? 71
- 6 Patient autonomy and responsibilities within the patient–doctor partnership 84
- 7 Older people, human rights, law and policy 101
- 8 Legal and ethical considerations in involuntary admissions to long-term care 117
-
Part III Regulating research
- 9 Retention and use of human biological samples 135
- 10 A moral gap? 150
- 11 Children in clinical trials in Ireland 163
-
Part IV Oversight of decision-making
- 12 Governance failures and organisational ethics 179
- 13 Psychiatric admission in Ireland 194
- 14 Protecting rights in mental health law 208
- 15 Patient-centred dying 222
- 16 Improving end-of-life care in intensive care units 236
- Index 251
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Contributors vii
- Series editor’s foreword x
- Introduction 1
-
Part I Context and care
- 1 Reproductive justice in Ireland 9
- 2 Conscientious objection, harm reduction and abortion care 24
- 3 Why care about carers? 41
-
Part II Rights and responsibilities
- 4 The limits of autonomy 55
- 5 If they can consent, why can’t they refuse? 71
- 6 Patient autonomy and responsibilities within the patient–doctor partnership 84
- 7 Older people, human rights, law and policy 101
- 8 Legal and ethical considerations in involuntary admissions to long-term care 117
-
Part III Regulating research
- 9 Retention and use of human biological samples 135
- 10 A moral gap? 150
- 11 Children in clinical trials in Ireland 163
-
Part IV Oversight of decision-making
- 12 Governance failures and organisational ethics 179
- 13 Psychiatric admission in Ireland 194
- 14 Protecting rights in mental health law 208
- 15 Patient-centred dying 222
- 16 Improving end-of-life care in intensive care units 236
- Index 251
