A non-sexually motivated sexual assault?: GMC v Haris [2020] EWHC 2518 (Admin) – 2 Hare Court

‘Dr Haris faced allegations from two patients that he had conducted non-clinically indicated, intimate examinations without consent. He asserted forcefully that the alleged conduct simply never happened – and also called additional evidence to support his position that he was asexual.’

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2 Hare Court, 5th November 2020

Source: www.2harecourt.com

A higher test of necessity for arrest? – UK Police Law Blog

‘In Rashid v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire [2020] EWHC 2522 (QB) the High Court (Lavender J) has allowed an appeal against a Recorder’s decision to dismiss a general practitioner’s claim for wrongful arrest, on the basis that the officers involved lacked reasonable grounds for believing the arrest was necessary. It follows recent cases in articulating a higher bar for the police to show reasonable grounds for necessity to arrest than perhaps had been thought to apply. It also raises interesting arguments about whether any other defences, such as the “Lumba/Parker” issue or ex turpi causa (the defence of illegality) might be available where an arrest has been unlawful.’

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UK Police Law Blog, 27th October 2020

Source: ukpolicelawblog.com

EP 128: The Cumberlege Review – Marina Wheeler QC – Law Pod UK

Posted October 26th, 2020 in doctors, health, hospitals, medical treatment, medicines, news, podcasts by sally

‘In Episode 128 Emma-Louise Fenelon talks to Marina Wheeler QC about the Cumberlege Review, which investigated the response of England’s healthcare system to patients’ reports of harm from drugs and medical devices.’

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Law Pod UK, 22nd October 2020

Source: audioboom.com

Recognising the legal landscape of informed consent – The GMC’s new guidance on Consent 2020 – Parklane Plowden Chambers

‘The landscape of informed consent in the doctor-patient relationship was fundamentally re-developed in 2015 when the Supreme Court drove a bulldozer through the Bolam principle replacing it with a new patient focused view designed on “materiality“ in Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board [ 2015 ] UKSC 11. The General Medical Council acted as an intervener in Montgomery case.’

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Parklane Plowden Chambers, 14th October 2020

Source: www.parklaneplowden.co.uk

Abortion “pills by post”: approval of procedure not unlawful – Court of Appeal – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted October 22nd, 2020 in abortion, doctors, judicial review, news by sally

‘The secretary of state had granted a temporary approval during the COVID-19 pandemic of “the home of a pregnant woman” as a class of places for the taking of Mifepristone, one of the two drugs required for a termination of pregnancy during the first 10 weeks. The appellants challenged this decision by way of judicial review, arguing, inter alia, that it was unlawful as being without the powers conferred by the Abortion Act 1967 (as amended).’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 21st October 2020

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Teenager’s death after being given antipsychotic was ‘potentially avoidable’ – The Guardian

‘The death of a teenager who was given antipsychotic medication though he and his family warned that the drug might cause him serious harm could have been avoided, an independent review has concluded.’

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The Guardian, 20th October 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Family of NHS consultant stricken by Covid face removal from UK – The Guardian

‘The family of an NHS consultant who has treated many patients during the coronavirus pandemic, and who is now critically ill with Covid himself, are facing removal from the UK.’

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The Guardian, 15th October 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Private hospital company was unaware of concerns the top surgeon was hoarding bones – The Independent

‘The former owners of a private hospital where hip surgeon Derek McMinn carried out thousands of operations on patients was only told about concerns he was hoarding bones and tissue without proper permission last week – a year after an internal investigation suggested they should be told. Nuffield Health, which runs more than 30 hospitals, told The Independent it was unaware of any issues related to Prof McMinn until reports of his alleged behaviour last week.’

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The Independent, 6th October 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Doctor fined £4,000 for carrying out unlicensed circumcision – The Independent

Posted October 6th, 2020 in children, doctors, fines, licensing, medical treatment, news, penalties by sally

‘A doctor has been fined £4,000 after carrying out an unlicensed circumcision.’

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The Independent, 5th October 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Former trainee doctor in contempt for online campaign against judge – Legal Futures

‘A former trainee doctor has been found in contempt of court for repeatedly breaching injunctions imposed on him to stop using a website to harass a circuit judge.’

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Legal Futures, 26th August 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Covid-19 will have “major impact” on £700m medico-legal market – Litigation Futures

‘The medico-legal and insurance services (MLIS) market had an estimated turnover of £700m last year but the coronavirus will have a “major impact”, a report has warned.’

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Litigation Futures, 16th July 2020

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

The Care Quality Commission: an essential guide to its powers and processes – Henderson Chambers

‘The Care Quality Commission (“CQC”) is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England at a time when this sector faces unprecedented scrutiny. However, the CQC’s role and purpose is not well understood. This note provides an essential guide to H&S and regulatory practitioners on the CQC’s powers and procedures in anticipation of widespread enforcement action as the COVID 19 emergency eases.’

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Henderson Chambers, 25th June 2020

Source: www.hendersonchambers.co.uk

Ian Paterson: Inquests into ‘unnatural deaths’ of surgery patients – BBC News

Posted July 6th, 2020 in doctors, inquests, medical treatment, news, wounding by sally

‘Inquests will be held after a review found patients of a rogue breast surgeon may have died unnaturally.’

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BBC News, 4th July 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

GMC Allowed to Investigate Dual-Qualified Doctor/Solicitor for Actions Taken in Legal Practice – Old Square Chambers

‘In the recent case of Dr Ogunsanya and Taylor Woods Solicitors v General Medical Council [2020] EWHC 1500 (QB), Eady J rejected the Claimants’ application for an injunction against the General Medical Council (‘GMC’) preventing the GMC from investigating the actions of the First Claimant (who is dual qualified as a doctor and as a solicitor) on the basis that the GMC had no jurisdiction because he was acting in his capacity as a solicitor, and not as a doctor, at the time. In rejecting the application, Eady J held that the allegations, amounting as they did to potential allegations of dishonesty, did fall within the GMC’s jurisdiction given their potential to prejudice the reputation of the profession. That there might be an overlap with another regulatory regime (that of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (‘SRA’)) did not oust that jurisdiction.’

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Old Square Chambers, 23rd June 2020

Source: www.oldsquare.co.uk

Suspension suffices for doctor’s online sexual misconduct – UK Human Rights Blog

‘GMC v Awan concerns a GP’s sexually motivated online chat with someone posing as 13 year old child. The GMC’s appeal under section 40A of the Medical Act 1983 was dismissed by Mostyn J and the 9-month suspension imposed by the Tribunal was upheld.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 19th June 2020

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

GMC can investigate solicitor doctor over legal advice – Legal Futures

‘A claim that a solicitor who is also a doctor provided dishonest advice to his clients can be subject to the General Medical Council’s (GMC) disciplinary process, the High Court has ruled.’

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Legal Futures, 15th June 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Doctors to file legal challenge to PPE guidance – Garden Court Chambers

‘Two NHS frontline doctors, Dr Meenal Viz and Dr Nishant Joshi, are preparing to file a legal challenge to the Government’s guidance on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This guidance, which applies to health care and social care workers, reduces the requirement to wear PPE and allows for re-use of some PPE. The legal challenge will argue that the Government guidance goes against World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance and puts health care and social care workers at risk, breaching their legal protections at work and their human rights.’

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Garden Court Chambers, 22nd May 2020

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

Roberts Case Summary – No. 5 Chambers

‘The name of this case may seem familiar; perhaps too familiar given the time it usually takes for matters to proceed through our court system. However, you’d be right. This is the third preliminary issue in the matter of Harry Roberts (a minor and a protected party by his mother and litigation friend Mrs Lauren Roberts) v Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (1), Ministry of Defence (2) and Allegemeines Krankenhaus Viersen GMBH (3) [2020] EWHC 994 (QB) to be determined by the High Court and the second in less than twelve months.’

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No. 5 Chambers, 18th May 2020

Source: www.no5.com

Injunction to prevent a breach of mutual trust and confidence: Smo v Hywel Dda University Health Board [2020] EWHC 727 (QB) – 3PB

‘The Court found in favour of the Claimant, a Consultant Surgeon, to restrain the Defendant from continuing a working relationships investigation into his alleged conduct, competence or behaviour, whilst carrying out disciplinary proceedings in parallel. The Defendant’s breached a duty of mutual trust it owed to the Claimant when they decided to embark on a working relationships investigation which was not decided through the exercise of a discretionary power expressly or impliedly conferred on it by the Claimant’s contract of employment.’

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3PB, 1st May 2020

Source: www.3pb.co.uk

Is the law of vicarious liability still ‘on the move’? Barclays Bank plc v Various Claimants [2020] UKSC 13 – 3PB

Posted May 12th, 2020 in assault, doctors, news, sexual offences, vicarious liability by sally

‘The 126 claimants in this case were all employees of Barclays Bank who, at the start of their employment between the late 1960s and early 1980s, were required to undergo a medical examination. Examinations were carried out by Dr Bates (now deceased), a general practitioner who was not an employee of the Bank but engaged as an independent contractor to provide this service, and did so at his home. The Claimants alleged that they were sexually assaulted by Dr Bates while undergoing this examination and brought a group action against the Bank for compensation. A preliminary issue was whether Barclays could be vicariously liable for his actions.’

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3PB, May 2020

Source: www.3pb.co.uk