When teaching ethics to students, case studies are a valuable resource. It is thought that case studies to which students can relate are the most effective as this creates a conflict within the minds of the student which they will be motivated to resolve. While this is not always possible, it will be helpful to think of actual situations you or fellow students may have encountered in the workplace when discussing ethics in children's palliative care. What follows is an example of a real situation in a South African Hospice.