Sydney Clinical Ethics Intensive 2026
Description
▪▪ Update: Please note that the Sydney Clinical Ethics Intensive 2026 is booked out. The wait list has also been closed. Thank you for your interest. ▪▪
Following the success of our inaugural event in 2024, this two-day education and capacity-building workshop is back and brings together some of the leading voices in clinical ethics and health law to explore the complex ethical challenges shaping contemporary health care and clinical practice.
Who should attend?
This workshop is designed for both newcomers to clinical ethics and experienced practitioners seeking to deepen their expertise, including: Doctors • Nurses • Allied Health Professionals • Health Service Managers • Clinical Ethics Committee Members • Ethics Service Staff
Whatever your experience level, this intensive offers:
Practical skills development in ethical reasoning and decision-making
Real-world case discussions that reflect the dilemmas you face in practice
Expert insights on timely and challenging topics
Networking opportunities with ethics and law colleagues across disciplines
Recognition – attendance certificates provided (ethics now part of mandatory CPD for many clinicians)
Leading experts
Learn from and join in discussions with leaders in the field including Profs Richard De Abreu Lourenco, Ian Freckleton, Lynn Gillam, Ian Kerridge, Paul Komesaroff, Wendy Lipworth, Jackie Leach Scully, Cameron Stewart, and more.
Engage with critical topics relevant to the clinical space
Updated foundational sessions and timely contemporary topics ensure both new and returning participants gain fresh perspectives - see the program summary below. A copy of the full program is now available, find it here.
Engaging format
Expert presentations
Real-world case discussions
Interactive facilitated sessions
Networking opportunities
Optional workshop dinner
Limited spaces – register early
50 spaces only
Concession rates for students and trainees (see FAQs)
Discount for Clinical Ethics Society of Australasia members
All catering is included: morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea both days.
Continue the conversations over the optional casual dinner on Friday evening. (Please select this additional option when registering.)
Convenors
Sydney Clinical Ethics Intensive group: Mel Drinkwater, Ian Kerridge, Edwina Light, Anne Preisz, Linda Sheahan (chair), George Skowronski, Cameron Stewart
Support
The convenors wish to express their thanks for the material and in-kind support for this event from the Clinical Ethics Society of Australasia and the Sydney Law School at the University of Sydney. We particularly wish to thank Sydney Health Law for their financial and logistical support.
PROGRAM Day 1: Friday 20 March 2026
- 8:30 am - 9:00 am
Day 1: Arrival & registration
Tea and coffee available
- 9:00 am - 9:15 am
Welcome and introduction
w/ Linda Sheahan
- 9:15 am - 10:15 am
Introduction to philosophy and ethics in health care
w/ Paul Komesaroff, Jackie Leach Scully, and Kathryn Mackay
- 10:30 am - 10:45 am
Morning break
Refreshments & networking
- 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Introduction to clinical ethics
w/ Lynn Gillam, Mel Drinkwater, Anne Preisz, Ian Kerridge, and Linda Sheahan
- 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Lunch break
Lunch and networking
- 12:45 pm - 2:00 pm
Introduction to health law and its relationship with clinical ethics
w/ Cameron Stewart
- 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Capacity and decision-making
w/ Chris Rudge
- 3:15 pm - 3:30 pm
Afternoon break
Refreshments and networking
- 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm
Paediatric clinical ethics
w/ Anne Preisz, Clare Delaney, Sharon Feldman, Mel Drinkwater, and Cameron Stewart
- 4:45 pm - 4:45 pm
Day 1 close
- 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Early evening social gathering
Join us for a casual drink and dinner at Camperdown Commons. Please choose this option in your registration if you would like to attend.
PROGRAM Day 2: Saturday 21 March 2026
- 8:30 am - 9:00 am
Arrival and registration
Tea and coffee available
- 9:00 am - 9:10 am
Welcome and introduction
- 9:10 am - 10:30 am
Coronial law and ethics
w/ Ian Freckelton
- 10:30 am - 10:45 am
Morning break
Refreshments and networking
- 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Funding high cost therapies: Economic innovation, ethical integrity, and clinical reality
w/ Ian Kerridge, Richard de Abreu Lourenco, Wendy Lipworth
- 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Lunch break
Lunch and networking
- 12:45 pm - 2:00 pm
Sexual boundary crossing
w/ Chris Rudge and Cameron Stewart
- 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Social media and professional speech
w/ Cameron Stewart, Paul Komesaroff, and Ian Freckelton
- 3:15 pm - 3:30 pm
Afternoon break
Refreshments and networking
- 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm
VAD updates and reflections
w/ George Skowronski, Edwina Light, Paul Komesaroff, Wade Stedman, and Ian Kerridge
- 4:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Closing remarks
w/ Linda Sheahan
- 5:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Event close
FAQs
- Two-day, one-day, and dinner registrations
Full registration (two days)
Registration for the full program includes all scheduled Intensive sessions on both Friday 20 March and Saturday 21 March 2026, including morning and afternoon refreshments and lunch.
Intensive 2026 Dinner (Friday evening)
The Friday evening dinner is an extra option, held at a nearby but separate venue to the Intensive. If you would like to attend, please select the additional "Intensive 2026 dinner" option at registration.
One-day registration (Friday or Saturday)
One-day registration is also available. Please select which day (Friday or Saturday) when registering to attend. We highly recommend registering to attend the full two-day program if you can. The program builds on each session and provides greater opportunities to engage in discussions and networking with speakers and other attendees.
- Concession registration
A concession registration rate is available for students and trainees.
This applies to full or one-day registration. The (optional) workshop dinner cost is the same for all registrants.
Please type in the word CONCESSION as the discount code at the relevant point on the registration page to have the 30% discount applied. You will also need to confirm the name of your student/trainee position and organisation/ institution on the registration form.
- CESA member discount
Members of the Clinical Ethics Society of Australasia can register to attend the Intensive at a discounted rate ($50 discount).
If you are unsure whether you are a member, contact info@clinicalethicssociety.org
To join CESA, visit https://www.clinicalethicssociety.org/
- Receipt
Once you have completed and paid for registration, you will receive a confirmation email. This email includes a receipt as a PDF attachment.
Please note it make take a few minutes for the confirmation email to arrive.
- Terms and conditions
The Sydney Clinical Ethics Intensive 2026 terms and conditions can be found at https://www.clinicalethicssociety.org/cesa-news/register-now-sydney-clinical-ethics-intensive-2026.
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