News round-up
Claim against NHS speech and language therapists fails
In May 2008 judgment was handed down in a landmark case
involving NHS speech and language therapists. Amelia Newbold
and Lorna Hardman, who successfully defended the NHS bodies in the
case, explain why the claim failed.
Read the bulletin here
Surveillance of claimants
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act
2000 and the Human Rights Act 1998 restricted public bodies in
their ability to carry out covert surveillance of claimants thought
to be exaggerating their symptoms. Adrian Shardlow reviews
the law on this topic.
Read the bulletin here
Are failed asylum seekers entitled to free healthcare?
A recent High Court decision means that Trusts can no longer
charge failed asylum seekers for healthcare. Louise Barlow and
Lorna Hardman consider the implications of the ruling. The
Department of Health is said to be considering an appeal – we will
keep you posted.
Read the bulletin here
VAT and car parking
The European Court is has been considering whether the EU VAT
Directive obliges public bodies to charge VAT on car parking. At
the time of publishing this Healthcare Update it is understood that
a judgement is expected very shortly and we will bring you news of
this as soon as we can. Here is our bulletin in which Carole Ayre,
Ian Long and Paul Giles discussed the possible impact of a
ruling.
Read
the bulletin here
Sex discrimination
Amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 came into force on
6 April 2008, including a revised definition of harassment and the
imposition of liability on an employer if it fails to take
reasonable steps to prevent an employee from harassment by a third
party. Edward Benson discusses the changes.
Read
the bulletin here
Corporate manslaughter
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 came
into force in April 2008. Andy Hopkins reminds healthcare
organisations of their obligations under the new legislation. See
also Andy’s follow-up Q & A article in this edition of
Healthcare Update.
Read the full article here
The Coroners Bill
The Government has published revisions to its Coroners Bill and
has announced its intention that the Bill should become law as soon
as possible. Lorna Hardman examines the changes which will have the
most impact on healthcare providers.
Read
the full article here