The idea to write a book on ethical issues pertaining to paediatric nursing has been aired for quite some time. The single most signifi cant factor in holding up the creation of such a book was the lack of expertise in one person of all the areas of paediatric nursing. The problem was resolved by producing an edited book, covering various specialities of paediatric nursing. Undoubtedly, one could have included more detailed coverage of particular speciality areas, e.g. chapters on ethical issues surrounding adolescent care, child abuse, teenage mothers, behaviour modification programmes and so on. The approach we took, however, stressed the overall unity of paediatric nursing - where the specialities are wide enough to take in all paediatric nursing activities from neonatal care to adolescent health screening. I am certainly very aware that the book would not have been written and produced without the support, enthusiasm and co operation of the chapter-writers. I would also especially like to thank Christine Birdsall, Nursing Editor at Chapman and Hall, and my colleagues at the Charles West School of Nursing - Joanna Parkes and Imelda Charles-Edwards, for their continuing support, and my family and friends, all of whom bore with me during the last two years.