BBC Radio 4 LW

Inside the Ethics Committee

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Religion & Ethics

Joan Bakewell and a panel of experts wrestle with the ethics of a real-life medical case.

Joan Bakewell is joined by a panel of experts to wrestle with the ethics arising from a real-life medical case.

Inside the Ethics Committee: Series 10

Inside the Ethics Committee: Series 10: Episode 4: Treating Smokers

Episode 4

Episode 4: Treating Smokers

Series 10

Treating Smokers

BBC Radio 4 - Inside the Ethics Committee, Series 10, Treating Smokers

Should patients with severe lung disease be given home oxygen if they continue to smoke?

Should patients with severe lung disease be given home oxygen if they continue to smoke? Joan Bakewell and guests discuss this ethical issue.

Many patients with lung disease receive oxygen therapy to try to improve their quality of life. However, patients with this condition often struggle to give up smoking and continue the habit against medical advice.

Mark has smoked since he was a teenager. Now 67 he has advanced lung disease as a result of his smoking. Despite his worsening ill health and against medical advice, Mark continues to smoke 40 cigarettes a day.

Having oxygen at home also carries a fire risk, so the fire service carry out an inspection at each patient's home. The medical team is concerned as they are noticing an increasing number of patients being treated for burns after smoking whilst using their oxygen in the home.

Our second patient, James, set his plastic tubing alight when he sparked up. The oxygen flowing into his nostrils fuelled the fire and he was hospitalised with facial burns.

Should patients be allowed oxygen therapy if they continue to smoke? Who is responsible for any fire that happens? The doctor? The patient?

And how should the benefit to patients be weighed against the risks for people living nearby who might also be caught up in a fire?

Joan Bakewell and her panel discuss the issues.

Producer: Lorna Stewart.

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Joan Bakewell and a panel of experts tackle the ethics involved in a real hospital case.

Joan Bakewell is joined by a panel of experts to tackle the ethics involved in a real hospital case.

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Inside the Ethics Committee

Series 10

Episode 4: Treating Smokers

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