Legal Aspects of Nursing

Legal Aspects of Nursing introduces nurses and other health care professionals to the law. The fourth edition of this best-selling and highly respected text has been updated for changes in the law arising from new judgments and legislative provisions in the field over the last three years. It also fully incorporates changes in NHS structure and other major initiatives and issues in health care management. Legal Aspects of Nursing is written specifically for non-lawyers and is clear and...
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Legal Aspects of Nursing introduces nurses and other health care professionals to the law. The fourth edition of this best-selling and highly respected text has been updated for changes in the law arising from new judgments and legislative provisions in the field over the last three years. It also fully incorporates changes in NHS structure and other major initiatives and issues in health care management. Legal Aspects of Nursing is written specifically for non-lawyers and is clear and jargon-free. Throughout the book, vivid situations based on everyday nursing practice are included in order to explore the legal consequences. This brings to life and emphasises to the reader the relevance and importance of the law to the health care professionals' daily work.; The scope of the book is comprehensive and includes such specialisms as work in intensive care, operating theatres, in the community, gynaecology and accident and emergency, which enables the more detailed areas of the law which arise in those departments to be discussed. Questions and answers are supplied at the end of each chapter to enable students to revise and test their knowledge. Appendices include the articles of the Human Rights Convention and details on the new Nursing and Midwifery Council. A free Lecturer's Guide is available for the exclusive use of lecturers adopting the book for class teaching.; New to this edition * New NHS scheme proposals, Making Amends, for compensation for clinical negligence within the NHS * New draft provisions for decision making on behalf of mentally incapacitated adults * Changes to the criminal law and criminal justice system * New case law including cases on the Human Rights Act * An update on the role of the new Nursing and Midwifery Council * Developments in confidentiality and litigation on Data Protection and new NHS Confidentiality Code of Practice * Legal implications of electronic patient records and the National Programme for Information Technology * Advances in complementary medicines and their acceptance within the NHS.; An update on employment law including new employment rights: flexible working time, paternity rights, The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations and The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations; Agenda for Change * NHS Foundation Hospitals * Kennedy Report of the Bristol inquiry into Paediatric heart surgery * New patient organisations: Patients Forums, Independent Complaints and Advice Services (ICAS); the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH) * Recommendations of the Shipman Inquiry into certification of death and the role and functions of the Coroner's office * A new appendix includes the DH consent forms for treatment and examination; Legal Aspects of Nursing is an essential textbook for student nurses and nurse managers enrolled on degree, diploma and masters courses in nursing and related areas. It is also an invaluable reference for nursing and hospital managers, consultant nurses, clinical nurse specialists, nurses, midwives and health visitors and carers in nursing homes and private hospitals. A foreword has been written by the Chief Nursing Officer of the Department of Health.; Bridgit Dimond MA (Oxon) LLB MPhil DSA, Barrister-at-law is Emeritus Professor at the University of Glamorgan. She is an experienced health service manager and lecturer in health service law and management, a non-executive director of Shaw Healthcare and a former Non-Executive Director of Bro Taf Health Authority and former member of the Mental Health Act Commission. Bridgit Dimond is the author of a number of books and articles on all aspects of professional accountability and patients' rights.