Bi-Weekly Round Up: 28th June 2021
This edition explores the interaction between medicine and law and their implications in current clinical situations. Four must read articles below for those with a keen interest in medico-legal matters. Of course, the ethical ramifications are always complexly intertwined within these matters. Enjoy!
1. Urgency, Delayed Decision-making and Ethics in the Court of Protection.
Fascinating personal account from renowned ethicist Professor Dominic Wilkinson relating to issues arising from a recent Court of Protection case, concerning the decision to continue life-prolonging treatment for a patient in a prolonged vegetative state.
2. An extended review exploring cases against medical professionals by Marina Wheeler QC
An exploration of cases against medical professionals highlighting the evolving roles, ethical responsibilities and conflicts of interests for clinicians of today.
3. Supreme Court Revisits Wrongful Birth Claims
An exploration of a recent Supreme court judgement: Khan v. Meadows. Robert Kellar QC and Owain Thomas QC discussing the scope of a defendant’s (GP) duty of care to a patient who was falsely reassure about her risk of passing on a haemophilia gene to a child.
And finally, one for those with IME membership (Sign up here).
4. The Judgment of the German Federal Constitutional Court regarding assisted suicide: a template for pluralistic states?
This article presents the judgment of the German Federal Constitutional Court from 26 February 2020 on assisted suicide. The statements regarding human dignity, human rights and the relationship between citizens and the state are skilfully examined by Professor Urban Wiesing.