Ethics & Law
The Ethics and Law Committee provides leadership, guidance and support on ethical and legal issues affecting kidney care. It works with members and groups across the UKKA, patient organisations and other relevant partners to help kidney professionals and services navigate complex ethical and legal challenges.
Following its launch at UK Kidney Week 2025, the committee surveyed UKKA members to understand the issues they would most value support with. The findings have shaped its priorities and initial programme of work.
Committee Co-Chairs
Multiprofessional Co-Chair
Medical Co-Chair
What the committee does
The committee’s responsibilities include:
- Identifying and responding to ethical and legal issues affecting kidney professionals and patient communities
- Providing education and practical support on ethical and legal aspects of kidney care
- Embedding ethical and legal considerations across the UKKA’s work
- Supporting the development of standards for professional practice
- Creating opportunities to discuss emerging issues and share good practice
- Working with patient organisations, professional bodies and other national stakeholders
- Contributing to relevant national policy
- Developing links with international organisations working in ethics and law
The committee may establish dedicated workstreams to take forward particular priorities.
Current priority areas:
- Withdrawal from active treatment
- Managing treatment non-concordance
- Health inequalities and access to care
- Mental capacity and best-interests decisions
- Advance care planning and consent
- Ethical issues relating to emerging treatments and technologies