Health professionals and patients are faced by ever increasing legal and ethical dilemmas. There are ever changing technical advances in healthcare and the also in the social and political climate.

Issues such as the right to treatment, the right to life/ right to die, the Human Tissue Act, The Human Embryology and Fertilisation Act, mother’s rights to abortion and informed choice and consent are at the forefront of the legal ethical debate.

Issues of Consent are tied in heavily with Clinical negligence. In particular there is likely to be a surge of cases dealing with the issue of informed consent in medical treatment in light of the Mental Capacity Act which has just come into force.

There are currently a number of issues that are at the forefront of the ethical debate. Below are just a few of the most common issues that are dealt with:

• The Mental Capacity Act 2005
• The Human Tissue Act 2004
• Patient Autonomy
• Treatment Decisions
• Rights and abortion
• Informed Choice
• Consent to treatment
• Withdrawal of Treatment

 If you have any queries or require any additional information please contact Shivi Nathan on 01689 848 311.