NEWS
Feb 05, 2021
Government Legal Department forced to outsource legal services for Test and Trace due to Brexit
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) had to outsource legal services for its Test and Trace (T&T) programme last year because the Government Legal Department's resources were "increasingly being redeployed towards EU Exit", it has emerged.
Jan 27, 2021
Senior judge authorises giving Covid-19 vaccine to 80-year-old woman in care home despite objections of son
It was lawful and in the best interests of an 80-year-old care home resident with dementia and schizophrenia to be vaccinated against Covid-19 despite the objections of her son, the Vice-President of the Court of Protection has ruled.
Jan 25, 2021
Divisional Court finds Mental Health Act assessments require physical attendance and cannot be undertaken remotely
The phrases "personally seen" in s. 11(5) of the Mental Health Act 1983 and "personally examined" in s. 12(1) require the physical attendance of the person in question on the patient, the Divisional Court has clarified.
Jan 13, 2021
Court of Protection team at 39 Essex Chambers issues guidance notes on vaccination and testing for Covid-19 and mental capacity
The Court of Protection team at 39 Essex Chambers has published two rapid response guidance notes, covering mental capacity, vaccination and testing for Covid-19.
Jan 13, 2021
Government publishes White Paper on reforming Mental Health Act
The Government has published a white paper on reforming the Mental Health Act 1983, promising that its proposed changes would provide patients with greater choice and autonomy in a mental health crisis.
Jan 11, 2021
High Court judge dismisses challenge over lack of public consultation on NHS hospital reconfiguration in Hertfordshire
A High Court judge has dismissed a judicial review challenge over the reorganisation of hospital provision in Hertfordshire.
Dec 23, 2020
Health Secretary facing legal challenge over failure to provide sight-impaired people with shielding information in accessible format
A blind woman has brought a legal challenge over the government’s alleged failure to provide her with accessible shielding information during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dec 15, 2020
London borough threatens Health Secretary with legal action over plans to downgrade hospital
Merton Council has sent a pre-action letter to the Health Secretary over his decision not to order a full independent review into plans to close the accident and emergency department and consultant-led maternity services at St Helier Hospital.
Dec 14, 2020
Law firm sends letter before claim to Health Secretary over vaccine access of individuals with learning disabilities
A letter before claim was last week sent to the Secretary of State for Health, Matt Hancock, calling for individuals with learning disabilities to be granted priority access to the Covid-19 vaccine on an equal basis with other highly vulnerable adults.
Dec 14, 2020
NHS procurement consortium to re-procure legal services framework agreement
The NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative (NOE CPC) isto re-procure its framework agreement for the provision of legal services.