News articles
Read our latest legal updates, news, and blogs below.
Subscribe to our mailing list to ensure you stay up to date with our latest legal news and expert insights.
Filters
News articles
NHS Dental Practices Year-End Reconciliation
Following the letter of preparedness issued on 22 December 2020, NHS dental practices should be aware of their increased targets for the last quarter of the financial year and the proposed reconciliation and abatement processes for calculating any clawback and deemed activity.
What type of company should our PCN be?
Justin Cumberlege, from specialist healthcare law firm Hempsons, provides some guidance on the type of company you may want for your primary care network and whether a community interest company might be right for you.
Whistleblowing and Covid-19: implications and key considerations for GP practices
Covid-19 has brought safety concerns and whistleblowing protections into sharp relief. Martin Cheyne explores some implications for practices to watch out for.
Reforming the Mental Health Act – Government proposals and consultation
The Government has published details of a ‘Reforming the Mental Health Act’ White Paper. The paper is intended to build on the recommendations of the 2018 Independent Review and emphasise principles of choice and autonomy, least restriction, therapeutic benefit and recognition of the person as an individual. The aim is to increase parity between physical and mental health.
New Year partner and associate promotions
We are delighted to announce a new partner and several associate promotions, providing a major boost to our healthcare advisory, healthcare litigation, commercial and real estate teams.
Are you licensed for your COVID Vacs sites?
Finding appropriate venues to give the COVID-19 vaccinations has resulted in some creative thinking as to places where this can be done.
Checked your Covid-19 Collaboration Agreement?
With the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme by general practice starting next week, practices need to agree the terms on which they will collaborate to deliver the programme in accordance with the vaccination enhanced service specification
Covid-19 Vaccine Deployment and the importance of Consent
With several potential vaccines for COVID-19 in development, the positive news concerning those in development has been welcome following the second national lockdown.
Is the incorporation of primary care networks helpful?
Justin Cumberlege from specialist healthcare law firm Hempsons, provides some guidance on incorporating a primary care network
A gentler attitude to gripes in pandemic
How will the GMC deal with complaints about your practice during the pandemic? Solicitor and doctor Tania Francis examines the latest guidance.
Bell v Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust and others – requirements for consent under Gillick
On 1st December 2020 the Divisional Court gave judgment in this unusual judicial review involving the circumstances in which a child or young person under 18 may be competent to give valid consent to treatment in law for the use of hormone or puberty blockers for gender dysphoria, and the process by which consent to treatment is obtained.
Incorporation of GP practices – what the NHS may require
GP practices wanting to incorporate will be considered in line with new guidance issued by the NHS. GP enquiries about incorporating their practices or forming PCN companies have risen in part driven by the added liability created by PCNs and other "at scale" providers.
Covid-19, the employer and the self-isolating member of staff
We know that if we have Covid-19, we need to protect those around us. Whilst that is essential and mandatory, so too is self-isolation for those who have been in close contact with someone who has Covid-19; but what should workers and their employers do?
Claimant found guilty of criminal act cannot claim damages against negligent NHS trust
The Supreme Court has now handed down its judgment in the long and sad case of Ecila Henderson v Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust. The judgment puts to rest the issue of whether a claimant who has been found guilty of a criminal act can recover damages from the party whose original negligence gave rise to the situation where the claimant was able to commit the criminal act.