Principles for pandemics: COVID-19 and professional ethical guidance in England and Wales

Abstract Background During the arrival of COVID-19 pandemic, various professional ethical guidance was issued to (and for) health and social care professionals in England Wales. Guidance can help inform support such their patients, clients service users, but a plethora risked information overload, confusion, inconsistency. Methods early months we undertook rapid review, asking: what are principles adopted by Wales for dealing with COVID-19? We thematic content analysis 29 documents that met our inclusion criteria. Results The captured 13 overlapping principles: respect, fairness, minimising harm, reciprocity, proportionality, flexibility, working together, inclusiveness, communication, transparency, reasonableness, responsibility, accountability. Conclusions intend this attempt collate outline prominent be helpful, particularly, healthcare practice during pandemic and, hopefully, future planning. also offer some reflections on therein. After describing principles, reflect similarities differences guidance, challenges associated not only specific reviewed, nature import “professional guidance”.