The role of ethics in the work of hospitals and medical professionals is being put under the spotlight this week with a series of panel discussions, learning lunches and presentations involving the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.

Making a return visit to the Island is guest speaker Dr. Christy Simpson, assistant professor in the Bioethics Department at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

The public will be able to view displays in the lobbies at both KEMH and MAWI to learn more about what is being discussed.

Dr. Simpson said: ?Trust makes a difference to how we, as people who provide and work in health care, understand and approach what we do, as well as how we treat patients and each other.?

She will be speaking with health professionals this week on the subject of trust, dignity, vulnerability, power and uncertainty, which are seen as key aspects to be addressed in order to provide good health care.

Medical ethics covers a wide range of issues, including genetic engineering, reproductive rights, stem cell research and euthanasia.

The Bermuda Hospital board?s Ethics Committee consults on around half-a-dozen cases a year relating to ethical questions raised at the hospitals.

Members of the Ethics Committee will be attending the various talks and presentations to be updated on the latest research and opinions.

Dr. Rosalyn Bascombe, of the committee, said: ?The events we have planned for this week are geared to educate medical staff, our own committee members, and the community about the importance of ethics in healthcare.

?Complex medical decisions often include ethical components.

?We help doctors, patients and their families navigate those issues.?