EAT provides guidance for employers seeking to rely on the “reasonable steps” defence in harassment claims
09/02/21
In a recent case, the EAT rejected an employer’s appeal against a finding of harassment and held that simply providing training will not always be enough for an employer to defend such a claim if that training is not effective.
Elevating practice managers to partnership: considerations for practice owners
05/02/21
There is an increase in the number of GP partnerships who have offered their Practice Managers a partnership role or alternatively where a PM has wished to be promoted to partner level. We set out the benefits and legal considerations you need to take.
Clinical Law Insight: Winter 2020/2021
04/02/21
Welcome to the latest edition of our Clinical Law Insight, in which we report on the latest appeal decisions, medico-legal and ethical issues arising from Covid-19, as well as new reports on safety and learning.
Phosphate mitigation and the impact on new developments
03/02/21
Last year, Natural England wrote to Local Planning Authorities setting out concerns over the increase of phosphates into the eco system due to new developments. We set out how this will impact any proposed development and what this means for RPs.
Decision-making by 16-18 year olds: Is a child’s refusal to consent to treatment determinative?
02/02/21
A recent case which relates to an under 18 year old Jehovah’s Witness who required blood transfusions, considered whether a child’s refusal to treatment is ever determinative or whether it can be overridden by the courts.
Reform of the Mental Health Act
02/02/21
Following the independent review of the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) led by Sir Simon Wessley, the Government’s whitepaper was published on 13 January 2021.
Duty of public involvement and approving a SOC for NHS hospital development
29/01/21
The High Court handed down its judgment in the judicial review case of Glatter v NHS Herts Valleys CCG and West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust. In this insight, we summarise the case and explain what impact the decision will have on the NHS.
Medical Malpractice Forward View 2021
27/01/21
In this year’s forward view, we consider issues ranging from the practicalities of future court hearings in a pandemic to resource arguments that will have to be considered in claims as well as key decisions in the year ahead.
Remote hearings and medical examinations likely to continue for the foreseeable future
25/01/21
Remote hearings and medical examinations by video have enabled litigation to progress during the pandemic.
Research and development in life sciences will assume even greater importance as will information governance around the use of apps
25/01/21
Bill Gates’ 2015 TED talk concluded that even with the development of vaccines, global health systems would need to use technology such as mobile phones and satellite maps to ‘track and trace’ the public, in order to prevent another pandemic.
The roll-out of digital healthcare is likely to continue apace
25/01/21
The last year has seen a rapid acceleration in the use of remote electronic consultations. Clear benefits to clinicians and patients coupled with pressure on resources mean that we are unlikely to go back to the way things were before.
Spotlight on two pending court decisions
25/01/21
Two cases awaiting decisions from the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal respectively, could have a significant impact for healthcare organisations.