All Legal articles – Page 132

  • News

    Generic drugs row settled

    2007-06-25T00:00:00Z

    The Department of Health has announced a joint settlement with Goldshield (Goldshield Group Plc, Goldshield Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Forley Generics Limited) over claims brought against the company for allegedly attempting to price fix in an anti-competitive cartel when supplying generic drugs to the NHS.

  • News

    Tories set out vision for NHS

    2007-06-20T00:00:00Z

    Conservative leader David Cameron and shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley have set out plans to improve autonomy and accountability in the NHS.

  • HSJ Knowledge

    Legal briefing: private care homes and the human rights anomaly

    2007-06-18T00:00:00Z

    Under current legislation, the Human Rights Act.applies only to public authorities and those performing public functions - not.to private care homes. Corinne Slingo and Rachael Heenan explain the law and its implications

  • News

    More trusts fail to meet hygiene code

    2007-06-18T00:00:00Z

    The Healthcare Commission has said more trusts are declaring non-compliance with its hygiene code than did last year.

  • News

    Scientists join row over access to patient records

    2007-06-14T00:00:00Z

    Medical researchers were branded 'cavalier and arrogant' while giving evidence to the health select committee's electronic patient records inquiry last week. The researchers, answering questions from MPs, argued that they should not always be obliged to ask patients' permission to see their medical records.

  • News

    NHS organisations advised to prepare for 'corporate killer' stigma

    2007-06-14T00:00:00Z

    NHS boards have been warned to prepare themselves for the implications of the Corporate Manslaughter Bill, which is currently working its way through Parliament.

  • News

    Children's charity criticises 'confused' Mental Health Bill

    2007-06-14T00:00:00Z

    The Mental Health Bill presents a 'confused picture', children's mental health charity YoungMinds has warned. The charity is concerned that 700 children per year voluntarily admitted to psychiatric wards will be left without an independent voice.

  • News

    Mental Health Bill amendments

    2007-06-13T00:00:00Z

    The government has made new amendments to the Mental Health Bill.

  • News

    Legal briefing: foundation trusts test the waters on mergers and acquisitions

    2007-06-11T00:00:00Z

    Following the first merger between a foundation trust and an NHS trust earlier this year,.other acquisitions are now in the pipeline. Melanie Print reports on recent developments.and asks whether private sector purchasers will be able to get involved

  • Comment

    Ofcare: 'Ambitions and metrics' mark launch of a new regulatory era

    2007-06-07T00:00:00Z

    'Ofcare's performance framework commences with mea culpa, admitting what healthcare professionals have been telling the Department of Health for years - top-down targets undermine innovation, motivation and accountability to communities'

  • News

    Leak reveals plan for Ofcare regime of fines and closures

    2007-06-07T00:00:00Z

    Underperforming trusts will face fines and closure under powers given to new health and adult social care regulator Ofcare, HSJ has learned.

  • News

    Tide turns on health secretary's 'undermining' local influence

    2007-06-07T00:00:00Z

    The health secretary's influence over local decisions means the system has 'no credibility', according to key observers. Oliver Evans reports on moves to curb her power

  • HSJ Knowledge

    Age discrimination: understanding the law

    2007-06-04T00:00:00Z

    While cases are still being heard in the courts and employee victories are making headlines, Shirley Wright and Adele Aspden warn the NHS against forcing any employees to retire

  • News

    Ballot over pay rise could lead to strikes in September

    2007-06-04T00:00:00Z

    Trade union Unite is to ballot its NHS members on industrial action over the government's staged pay rise for health workers, instead of the flat 2.5 per cent increase recommended by the pay review body. The ballot is planned for mid-August, raising the possibility of strikes from mid-September. The union ...

  • News

    Legal briefing: defending equal pay claims

    2007-06-04T00:00:00Z

    The introduction of Agenda for Change.has sparked numerous claims of unequal pay in the health service. Tina Elliott discusses the legal foundation of such claims and how trusts are defending them.

  • News

    David Lock on continuing care liability

    2007-06-04T00:00:00Z

    'The dividing line between healthcare and social care has been the subject of numerous legal cases, endless guidance, appeals to and reports by the parliamentary ombudsman and more than a few scratched managers' heads over the years'

  • News

    Make a splash with your merger: planning for success

    2007-06-04T00:00:00Z

    To succeed in the mergers and acquisitions game, trusts must plan carefully, say Martin Jacobs and Steve Saunders

  • News

    Former NHS chief heads disability inquiry

    2007-06-01T00:00:00Z

    Former chief executive of Guy's and St Thomas' foundation trust Sir Jonathan Michael is to chair an independent inquiry into access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities, health secretary Patricia Hewitt has announced. The investigation follows charity Mencap's March report into the death of six people with learning disabilities.

  • News

    Legal briefing: staying in bed

    2007-05-28T00:00:00Z

    Delayed discharge can be caused when clinically well patients refuse to go home. In such circumstances, what is the legal position for trusts faced with coercing patients to leave? Ian Long explains

  • News

    Blocked psychiatric beds cost £110m a year

    2007-05-24T00:00:00Z

    Around 2,500 patients at any time are stuck on psychiatric wards when they should be getting some form of community care. A Department of Health report leaked to HSJ reveals poor planning and liaison between health and social care are responsible for the delayed discharges.