Legal
News on legal cases in the health sectorHospital payout after leg amputation
PERFORMANCE: A 13 hour delay in treatment caused a former police officer to have to undergo an avoidable leg amputation it has emerged.
Opt-out doctors 'will be named'
Doctors who decide not to disclose details of their performance will be “named and shamed” by the government, it has emerged.
Doctors 'can opt out' of tables
Doctors will be given the opportunity to opt out of new league tables assessing their performance, it has emerged.
Nicholson rejects gagging order allegations
Sir David Nicholson has insisted he “absolutely refutes” allegations he has been complicit in a “cover up” about the use of gagging orders in the NHS.
Acne medication leads to stillbirth at Peterborough
A mother was forced to have a stillbirth after being prescribed acne drugs which are not suitable for pregnant women.
Hundreds of Mid Staffs deaths examined by police
A review of deaths at Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust by Staffordshire Police has identified 200-300 cases in which alleged neglect may have contributed to the death.
Minister 'nervous' about criminal sanctions on individuals
Health minister Lord Howe has said he is “nervous” about the proposal by Robert Francis QC for individual healthcare staff to be liable for criminal sanctions.
North Staffs calls in police to investigate 'malicious campaign'
Police have been asked to investigate a “malicious campaign” against a hospital doctor after letters alleging poor care were sent to three patients and their families.
Healthcare leaders fear 'unintended consequences' of hasty Francis legislation
Senior figures have warned of “unintended consequences” of rushed legislation in response to the Francis report.
Care bill extends CQC's powers
The Care Quality Commission will be able to order Monitor to put trusts into special administration over quality failures, under new powers set out in the Care Bill.
Care claims backlog 'will take five years to clear'
The deluge of retrospective claims for continuing healthcare funding that flooded into the NHS last year will take at least half a decade to be resolved, lawyers have warned.
Exclusive: Hospital leaders say 'chief inspector' role won't work
73 per cent of hospital chief executives believe the government’s proposed overhaul of regulation and inspection will be ineffective
Exclusive: Law firm 'likely' to take on prosecution of David Nicholson
A team of specialist lawyers is likely to take on an attempt to bring a private prosecution against NHS chief executive Sir David Nicholson
Duty of candour could lead to criminal prosecution
Boards of organisations providing NHS care which breach the government’s proposed new statutory duty of candour could face criminal prosecution.
Francis response: Increased threat of prosecution for major safety breaches
NHS providers could face an increased risk of being prosecuted for major patient safety problems, which breach health and safety law, under government proposals responding to the Francis report.
Ban on gagging clauses is 'smoke and mirrors'
High level announcements about restrictions on the use of confidentiality clauses have “limited significance” but may help to clarify their effect for staff, lawyers have told HSJ.
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Exclusive: Gary Walker did tell Nicholson he was a whistleblower
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Merging foundation trusts sign competition undertakings
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Trust acknowledges errors in care of patient found hanged
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Corporate manslaughter case attempt brought against Nicholson
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Medway FT accepts health and safety fine
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Complaint sparks police involvement at Kent neuro unit
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Government tendering rules will lead to big shake-up in services, lawyers warn
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Trust sued over surgery blunder
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Compromise agreements 'should not silence safety concerns'
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Competition investigations spell problems for mergers
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United Lincs: Former chief exec was not 'gagged' on patient safety
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Francis proposes criminal offence to drive cultural change
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'Gagged' former trust chief accuses NHS leaders over safety
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New criminal powers for CQC would need a higher level of proof
Prepare for the impact of new whistleblowing laws
A guide to the new requirements and responsibilities
The true cost of low-value purchases
When it comes to purchasing, low value does not always mean low risk
Beyond authorisation: new challenges facing CCGs
The legal and governance issues of a CCGs’ first year
Practical challenges for the NHS in the Middle East
Knowledge of the local laws and culture are essential
