1. Identify and critically analyse key issues, concepts and theories relating to the law of healthcare

2. Recognise the importance of, and critically appraise ethical debate, within contemporary healthcare, applying this to a range of differing scenarios

3.¿¿Critically discuss contemporary developments in healthcare law, demonstrating an understanding of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limit of that knowledge.

4.¿Construct a cogent argument supported by a range of evidence drawn from both legal and other appropriate disciplines.

¿Unseen examination, comprising of approximately 6 essay questions, of which students choose 2 questions.

This module will cover a range of topics relating to contemporary modern healthcare including:
Consent to treatment from the competent and incompetent adult
Treatment of the child patient
Consent of the mature minor
Clinical negligence
Reproductive technology and the law
End of life issues

If you are interested in the contemporary issues in modern healthcare which so often make headline news, and you would like to be able to develop an informed view, of both the relevant law and ethics, this module will help you to achieve that. From an employability perspective, this module will help students to develop analysis and critique skills as well as ethical understanding. The subject matter of the module is relevant for both prospective solicitors and barristers, as the syllabus covers clinical negligence and issues relevant to both the court of protection and family courts. ¿The module will also be enjoyed by students who are looking to go on to postgraduate¿Master’s¿or PhD study.¿ Students on this module will also develop and apply transferrable skills such as research, applying the law, awareness of current affairs, sensitive and¿non -discriminatory¿awareness of issues relating to sex, gender, sexuality and race which in addition to the legal sector discussed above could lead to careers in health authorities or other similar public sector organisations.

The learning strategy for this module is based around students committing a total of 200 hours of activities, split between 39 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 161 hours of directed and independent study, together with preparation for and completion of assessment tasks. Group discussions, tutorials and formative feedback will give students the opportunity to reflect upon progress and discuss strategies for developing skills and ideas

WHOLE GROUP SESSIONS
In these sessions, students are introduced to the general concepts underlying the subject and are provided with an introduction to each individual topic. Teaching materials, including the use of the VLE platform, supplement the sessions. These sessions guide students towards consolidating their knowledge and understanding.

SMALLER GROUP SESSIONS
These are preceded by a period of independent learning. Class work will include individual, pair and group work and will involve producing, presenting and discussing oral and written work. The purpose of the smaller group sessions is to help students assess their understanding of a topic, to develop critical thinking and analytic skills, and to learn how to apply these skills to different situations. The sessions encourage active participation and interaction among students and between students and tutors. A variety of teaching methods is adopted in order to encourage the development of essential skills such as intellectual rigour, communication, research, referencing, judgement and the appropriate use of IT.

DIRECTED AND INDEPENDENT STUDY (161 hours)
Independent study includes research and preparation for the work to be undertaken in the smaller group sessions and consolidation of understanding afterwards. Directed study opportunities, are provided to enable students to revise key topics at important stages in the module. Directed and independent study aims to develop a deeper understanding of issues within the area of critical thinking and argument. Module information including module booklet, timetable, class notes, practice activities, feedback, links to external resources, assessment details and additional resources to support study will be on the VLE. Students may also be expected to post comments and have on-line discussions through the VLE.

Core Text choose from:
Margaret Brazier and Emma Cave, Medicine, Patients and the Law, (Penguin) - latest edition
or
Graeme Laurie, Shawn Harman and Edward Dove, Mason & McCall Smith’s Law and Medical Ethics, (OUP) latest edition (available on Law Trove)

Further reading:
Emily Jackson, Medical Law : Text, Cases and Materials (Routledge) latest edition, (available on Law Trove).
John Harris, The Value of Life: An Introduction to Medical Ethics (Routledge) - latest edition

Module Study Guide.
Access to appropriate primary and secondary legal resources.
Computing facilities will also be needed in order to access Westlaw, LexisNexis and Law Trove.