Clinical negligence
Autor
Connelly, Arlene
Serpell, Mick
Institución
Resumen
Clinical negligence may be tried under the civil or criminal legal system. Any General Medical Council proceedings are conducted separately. All cost time and money, and may be stressful for the patient
and clinicians involved. In order to prove negligence, the claimant
must prove the clinician had a duty of care, there was breach of that
duty, and that breach caused injury. Interpretation of the law evolves
as cases are heard in court and precedents are set. It is important
for clinicians to keep up to date with developments in their specialty
and good medical practice guidelines.