healthcare update - issue 16
Welcome to the 16th edition of our healthcare update, the easy
and convenient way for professionals working across the healthcare
sector to stay up to date with legal developments. We hope you will
find the articles in this issue of interest.
Should you require any further information on any of the issues
or events in this edition, please feel free to contact us. We would
also be very pleased to hear from you with any views you have in
relation to the update generally.
Articles in this issue
Operation? The roles of the local authority, the court and the
hospital in deciding on surgery for a child
A recent case in the Family Division of the High Court
highlights the court’s reluctance to take responsibility for
decisions over life saving medical treatment for a child. Ben Troke
examines the case and the roles of the organisations
involved.
Read
the full article here
The future of funding for clinical negligence
claims
High costs under existing arrangements have become a serious
concern, particularly in clinical negligence cases against the NHS
Litigation Authority. Amelia Newbold looks at the government's
announcement to consult on the areas of Lord Justice Jackson’s
report which recommend radical changes to the way in which civil
litigation cases are funded.
Read
the full article here
End of life decision-making
Melanie Print considers the issues and challenges of “governance
in transition” which face PCTs and SHAs in what will inevitably be
a very difficult time.
Read
the full article here
The NHS White Paper - what about the estate?
Mick Suggett provides some food for thought surrounding
estates teams and PCT boards in anticipation of the forthcoming
split of commissioner and provider and the eventual abolition of
PCTs.
Read the
full article here
GP commissioning consortia - does the law require them
to comply with procurement rules when commissioning for the
NHS?
By April 2013, the role of PCTs as commissioners of NHS-funded
services is likely to have been replaced by new powers given to
local consortia of GP practices to commission services for their
patient populations. Chris Brennan takes a closer look.
Read
the full article here
Undertaking building works in a live healthcare
environment – important factors to bear in mind
As the politically driven emphasis on improving quality gathers
pace, there will remain a continuing need for the providers of
healthcare to undertake building works. Shaun Tame considers
the recent announcement in relation to the need to abolish
mixed wards and the need to achieve change in the built environment
of the NHS.
Read
the full article here
Court of Appeal overturns decision in occupier's liability
case
James Fawcett reviews the recent decision by the Court of Appeal
in the case of Jonathan Harvey v Plymouth County Council
(2010) and what this means for claims brought under the Occupiers'
Liability Act 1957.
Read
the full article here
The content of this bulletin is provided for the purposes of
general interest and information. It contains only brief summaries
of aspects of the subject matter and does not provide comprehensive
statements of the law. It does not constitute legal advice and does
not provide a substitute for it.