The decision to entrust a loved one to the care of others is never an easy one to make. Moving a relative into a residential care home or a nursing home can be a difficult and emotional experience. The state of your relative’s health means that this decision may well be taken out of your …
Read MoreMr Bussey was a plumber, installing domestic heaters and boilers. As part of his work he had to saw, handle and manoeuvre asbestos pipes and rope. He was exposed to ‘safe’ low levels of asbestos (as defined in a Technical Data Note (TDN13) issued by the Factory Inspectorate in 1970) between 1965 and 1968 and …
Read MoreAny doctor or healthcare professional should obtain their patient’s permission or agreement to undergo a course of treatment – now termed ‘informed consent’ following a Supreme Court judgment in the case of Montgomery –v- Lanarkshire Health Board in March 2015. This means that a doctor or healthcare professional should discuss all the treatment options (not …
Read MoreChallenging an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) In September 2014, the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) reforms came into effect. From 1 September 2014, any child or young person referred to a local authority for assessment was considered under the new Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan assessment process. Department for …
Read MoreThe tragic case of Oliver McGowan, who died at Southmead hospital in Bristol after being given an antipsychotic drug against his and his family’s wishes, highlights the complexity of what exactly is in the ‘best interests’ of a person who lacks capacity. Oliver had epilepsy, cerebral palsy and autism and despite the family begging doctors …
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Mesothelioma is a disease commonly associated with men who have worked with asbestos. Yet in the last decade it is reported that there has been a greater increase in the incidence rates of women suffering from mesothelioma (25%) as compared to men (6%). Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumour which can affect the lining of …
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We’ve all become more aware of the skin cancer risks associated with exposure to the sun (on the seemingly rare occasions we see it!). More of us are topping up on high factor sunscreens for our beach breaks and yet, according to the British Skin Foundation, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer …
Read MoreThere was a lot of news coverage recently following remarks by retired Court of Protection judge Denzil Lush. Mr Lush expressed his personal concerns about the ‘risks’ posed by the creation of a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), claiming they were fraught with opportunities for abuse and that he personally would prefer the alternative of …
Read MoreAccidents can change lives in an instant. But after the accident, rescue by emergency services, emergency treatment by the NHS, what then for the victims and their families? Anyone can be at risk of a life-changing accident simply by going about their everyday lives. Very serious injuries, such as spinal cord or brain injuries, …
Read MoreIt’s a sad fact that motorbike and cycle accidents and injuries tend to increase during the summer months. More bikes are dusted off and taken on the road but despite the increased numbers and campaigns urging drivers to ‘think twice – think bike’ cyclists and bikers still seem to be unnoticed by other road users …
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