general public for access to an improved health care system as well as provide leadership and guidance to medical practitioners.

SLMDA will examine issues in the health care sector and their impact on the future of health and health care in St. Lucia.

Through policy statements, submissions to government and public speeches SLMDA will provide a common ground for members and will strive from day to day to work for the good of the profession and the public it serves.

Mission Statement

To sustain human development in St. Lucia, by continually placing the individual and collective health care expertise of our members at the service of the people of St. Lucia.


Vision
To achieve and promote excellence in medical care for the betterment of all St. Lucians.



Guiding Principles
1. Physicians must pay full respect at all times and in all circumstances to persons they are attending!

2. Patients have a right to receive relevant information about their own medical condition and its management.

3. Treatment and other forms of medical intervention to patients who have the capacity to consent should not be undertaken without their full, face and informed consent.

4. Information obtained in the physician/patient relationship must be regarded as strictly confidential.

5. Physicians in active practice must maintain competence to practice at all times and must ensure that they never expose patients to unnecessary risks.

6. Physicians must do all they can to assist at medical emergencies.

7. The obligation of a physician to provide medical care for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups must be upheld. Physicians should endeavor to identify the cause of ill health in such groups and should draw attention to the need to alleviate them.

8. Attendance by physicians on persons held in detention must always be conducted in the best interests of their health.

9. Care must be taken not to compromise the interest of the patients when carrying out examinations or supplying reports at the request of third parties.

10. Physicians, by reason of their training, expertise and status should actively promote the provisions of effective health services and should notify health and other relevant authorities whenever they become aware of hazards to health of the community.

11. The role of physician in active practice should include the promotion of healthy lifestyles and education of the community in disease prevention.

12. Physicians have a responsibility to cooperate fully with their medical colleagues in the interest of providing the best possible health care for the community.

13. Physicians should recognize and respect the expertise of other health workers, and collaborate with them in the interests of providing the best possible holistic health care.

14. Physicians should endeavor to influence traditional healers and birth attendants to adopt safe practices.

15. Physicians must safeguard the rights and interests of potential donors and recipients by observing the internationally accepted rules and procedures for transplantation.

16. Physicians should not participate in medical research that does not conform with internationally accepted guidelines.