What is it to do good medical ethics? From the perspective of a practising doctor who is in Parliament

Abstract

This article is a personal reflection on work as a physician with work as a member of the UK Parliament's House of Lords. Ethical thinking should underpin everything we do; the ‘four principles’ of medical ethics provide an applicable and relevant ethical framework. This article explores its application in both domains of work—as a clinician and as a legislator—with some examples of its use ‘to do good medical ethics’ in both roles. Debates around tobacco and drug control, pandemic control, abortion and assisted suicide are explored.