Module Information

Introduction to Law and Medical Ethics
The aim of this module is to explore the critical relationship between the law, and the practice of medicine, in order to set the groundwork for discussions in the more topic-specific modules... More information on week 1

Consent to Medical Treatment
This module looks at the variety of conditions, criteria and limitations relating to consent... More information on week 2

Refusal of Medical Treatment
That patients exercise 'rights' to autonomy when providing consent only makes sense if there is a corresponding right to refuse... More information on week 3

Withholding and Withdrawing Care
This module examines 'medical futility' and the 'duty to prolong life' and the complex issues surrounding euthanasia and physician assisted suicide (PAS)... More information on week 4

Medical Negligence
This module focuses on the role of the law of negligence in the medical context, essentially as a means of providing compensation to patients who have suffered a 'legally-recognised harm'... More information on week 5

Patient Confidentiality
In this module, we examine the principles that form the content of the duty of confidentiality, when the duty arises, and circumstances which constitute exceptions... More information on week 6

Human Rights and Medical Practice
In this module, we look at reasons why this legislative programme has come about, issues of access to health care, and the role of human rights... More information on week 7

Research and Ethical Approval
In this module, we will look at how attitudes, conditions, standards and safeguards have developed and changed over the last hundred years... More information on week 8

Mental Capacity and Mental Health
Alongside general issues of mental health law, two particularly significant areas of relevance to the medical profession that arise from the new legislation will be explored in this module... More information on week 9

Genetics, Reproduction and the Law
In this module, various approaches to assisted reproduction are explored, as are the 'reproductive torts' - forms of negligence action related to issues of reproductive counselling... More information on week 10