Legal aspects of nursing

865 Pages·2015·6.697 MB·English

by  Dimond, Bridgit

‘An excellent and enduring text.’ Gilly Hewetson, Lecturer, UEA
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LEGAL ASPECTS OF NURSING
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BRIDGIT DIMOND SEVENTH EDITION
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‘This valuable text should be readily available to all nursing students and qualifi ed

nurses and in the libraries of all nursing schools and other institutions, such as A
the Royal College of Nursing. I hope that people in authority will highlight its
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existence and the real need for nurses to read it.’
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From the foreword by Dr Peter Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing
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‘Written by a well-respected and highly experienced subject expert, this text is
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accessible, accurate and informative. It is the one book on law for nurses/nursing

that I recommend to my students because it is wide ranging, well organised and it O
cites case/statute law in such an interesting and readable manner.’
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Dr Alan Armstrong, Senior Lecturer, UCLAN
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Now in its seventh edition, Bridgit Dimond’s Legal Aspects of Nursing is the defi nitive guide to
the essential law that nurses and healthcare professionals need to know. Written in an engaging style, R
the book shows the application of the law to everyday nursing situations showing the relevance and
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importance of legal considerations to nursing practice. The book covers the legal system and legal
issues relating to medicine in general, before examining more specifi c areas, such as children and the I
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elderly. Legal Aspects of Nursing is the ideal companion for introductory and specialist study and uses
a number of features to help enhance understanding:
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Practical dilemma boxes present the law working within the context of realistic scenarios.
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Key case and statute boxes highlight the most important case law and legislation to be aware of.
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Refl ection questions and further exercises develop the ability to understand and apply the law. D
The book has been thoroughly updated and examines key new developments, including: I
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The Francis inquiry into the Mid-Staff ordshire NHS Foundation Trust.
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The implementation of: the Health and Social Care Act 2012; the Care Act 2014; the Children and
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Families Act 2014; and the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013. SEVENTH EDITION
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Signifi cant decisions of the Supreme Court on deprivation of liberty; assisted dying; letting die and
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the capacity to litigate.
BRIDGIT DIMOND
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New organisations such as the Health Research Authority and NHS Improving Quality. D
Bridgit Dimond MA (Oxon) LLB MPhil DSA, AHSM, Barrister-at-law, is Emeritus Professor at the LEGAL ASPECTS
University of South Wales. She is an experienced health service manager and lecturer in health service
SEVENTH
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©© NNoorrmmaann WWaallsshh www.pearson-books.com
CVR_DIMO1821_07_SE_CVR.indd 1 05/03/2015 11:59
Legal Aspects of
Nursing
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Legal Aspects of
Nursing
Seventh Edition
Bridgit Dimond ma llb dsa ahsm
Barrister-at-Law
Emeritus Professor University of South Wales
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PEARSON EDUCATION LIMITED
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F irst published 1990 (print)
Seventh edition published 2015 (print and electronic)
© Prentice Hall Europe 1990, 1995 (print)
© Pearson Education Limited 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2015 (print and electronic)
T he right of Bridgit Dimond to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in
accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
T he print publication is protected by copyright. Prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a
retrieval system, distribution or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
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P earson Education is not responsible for the content of third-party internet sites.
ISBN 978-1-292-00182-1 (print)
978-1-292-00185-2 (PDF)
978-1-292-00184-5 (eText)
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for the print edition is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
D imond, Bridgit, author.
L egal aspects of nursing / Bridgit Dimond MA LLB DSA AHSM, Barrister-at-Law,
Emeritus Professor University of Glamorgan. -- Seventh Edition.
pages cm
ISBN 978-1-292-00182-1
1 . Nursing--Law and legislation--England. I. Title.
KD2968.N8D56 2015
344.4104′14--dc23
2015001757
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
19 18 17 16 15
C over image © Norman Walsh
P rint edition typeset in 9/11.5pt Sabon MT Pro by 35
P rint edition printed by Ashford Colour Press Ltd, Gosport
N OTE THAT ANY PAGE CROSS REFERENCES REFER TO THE PRINT EDITION
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Contents
Guided tour xii Plea and Case Management Hearing 28
Table of cases x iv Crown Court proceedings 29
Table of statutes x xvi Elements of a crime 32
Abbreviations x xxii Case of Dr Nigel Cox 33
Foreword to first edition xxxv Case of Dr Adomako 33
Foreword to seventh edition x xxvi Case of Dr Shipman 35
Preface to first edition xxxvii Case of Beverley Allitt 35
Preface to seventh edition xxxix Case of Kevin Cobb 35
Acknowledgements x l A dministration of drug by epidural instead
of intravenous injection 36
Offence of ill-treatment or wilful neglect 36
Part I
Defences 36
G eneral principles affecting Criminal injuries compensation 40
Conclusions 42
all nurses
1 Reflection questions 42
Further exercises 42
1 I ntroduction: four arenas of
References 43
accountability, the legal system
and human rights 3 3 L iability in a civil court case
for negligence 4 5
Accountability 4
Criminal liability 6 Duty of care 46
Professional liability 7 Standard of care 50
Civil liability 8 Causation 56
Accountability to employer 9 Liable for what? 60
R elationship between the four arenas Harm 61
of accountability 10 Conclusions 64
Sources of law 10 Reflection questions 64
Differences between civil and criminal law 11 Further exercises 65
Civil actions 12 References 65
Judicial review 12
4 S pecific problem areas in civil
Legal personnel and legal complaints 13
liability: personal liability of
Legal language 14
Human Rights Act 1998 14 the nurse, vicarious liability of the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 19 employer and managerial issues 6 8
Devolved law-making powers 19
Negligence in communication 69
Conclusions 20
Inexperience 69
Reflection questions 20
Team liability and apportionment of responsibility 71
Further exercises 20
Taking instructions: refusal to obey 73
References 21
Nurse as manager 75
2 A ctions in the criminal courts and Pressure on the manager 75
Vicarious liability of employer 77
defences to criminal charges 23
In the course of employment 78
Initial stages of arrest and prosecution 24 Liability for negligence of volunteers 82
Magistrates’ courts 27 Duty of care liability for independent contractors 82
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CONTENTS
Direct liability of employer 83 Reflection questions 153
Indemnity from the employee at fault 84 Further exercises 153
Pressure from inadequate resources 86 References 153
P ublic Interest Disclosure Act 1998
and whistleblowing 89 7 C onsent to treatment and
Conclusions 94 informing the patient 156
Reflection questions 94
Further exercises 95 Basic principles 157
References 95 Requirements of a valid consent 157
How should consent be given? 157
5 S tatutory functions and Right to refuse treatment 160
management of the NHS 97 Taking one’s own discharge 164
D efinition of mental capacity under the Mental
National Health Service 98 Capacity Act 2005 164
White Paper Equity and Excellence: Hunger strikes 166
Liberating the NHS 98 Amputation of healthy limbs 167
Enforcement of statutory duties 102 Defences to an action for trespass to the person 167
T he National Health Service Commissioning Mental Capacity Act 2005 168
Board (NHS England) 106 Mental Health Act 1983 173
Clinical commissioning groups 108 G iving information to a patient prior to consent
The Mandate 110 being obtained 173
NHS foundation trusts 111 Non-therapeutic procedures 177
Monitor 111 Giving information to the terminally ill patient 178
National Health Service Trust N otifying the patient of negligence by
Development Authority 114 a colleague 179
Clinical governance 114 No decision about me, without me 180
Duty of quality 115 Conclusions 181
The Care Quality Commission 116 Reflection questions 181
N ational Institute for Health and Care Further exercises 181
Excellence (NICE) 119 References 182
National Service Frameworks (NSFs) 121
NHS 111 and walk-in clinics 122 8 D ata protection: confidentiality
NHS inquiries 123 and access 184
Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Inquiry 124
The NHS Constitution 126 Data Protection Act 1998 185
The Healthy NHS Board 128 Data protection principles 187
Nursing initiatives 128 First data protection principle 188
NHS and the private sector 128 Duty of confidentiality 189
Conclusions 129 Caldicott Guardians 206
Reflection questions 129 Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) 207
Further exercises 130 Freedom of Information Act 2000 208
References 130 DNA databases 210
Access to personal health records 211
6 P rogress of a civil claim: Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 213
defences and compensation 133 Conclusions 213
Reflection questions 214
Civil proceedings 134 Further exercises 214
Compensation in civil proceedings for negligence 139 References 214
Defences to a civil action 142
C linical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) 9 R ecord keeping, statements
and the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) 151 and evidence in court 219
NHS Redress Act 2006 151
Reforms to civil litigation 152 Record keeping 219
Conclusions 152 Statements 225
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CONTENTS
Evidence in court 230 Special areas 322
Defamation 233 The future 338
Internet 234 Conclusions 339
Conclusions 235 Reflection questions 340
Reflection questions 235 Further exercises 340
Further exercises 235 References 340
References 235
10 T he nurse and employment law 2 37 Part II
Specialist areas
Human rights 238 345
Contract of employment 239
Statutory provisions covering employment 244 13 Children and young persons 3 47
Unfair dismissal 255
Trade union rights 259 Consent to treatment 348
Public and private employees 260 Child protection 358
D iscrimination: The Equality and Human Parental care and the nurse 367
Rights Commission 261 Disciplining a child 369
Equality Act 2010 261 Education of children in hospital 370
Agenda for Change 271 Children’s trusts 371
Conclusions 271 National Service Frameworks (NSFs) 371
Reflection questions 271 Adolescents 373
Further exercises 271 Teenage sexuality 373
References 271 C ourt proceedings and the child or
young person 374
11 T he nurse as a registered professional 275 Conclusions 375
Reflection questions 376
B ackground to the establishment of the Nursing Further exercises 376
and Midwifery Council 276 References 376
Nursing and Midwifery Council 276
Registration and removal 278 14 Midwifery 381
Professional standards and codes of practice 288
Education and training 288 Midwifery Committee 382
Post-registration education and practice (PREP) 289 Midwives’ rules and code of practice 382
Fitness to Practise Annual Report 2012–2013 290 Law relating to consent in midwifery care 384
P rofessional Standards Authority for Health and L iability of the mother for harm caused to
Social Care (Council for Healthcare Regulatory the baby 389
Excellence (CHRE)) 291 Taking the newly born into care 391
N HS Improving Quality (formerly NHS Institute Midwifery practice and standard of care 392
for Innovation and Improvement) 292 Breastfeeding 395
F ramework for assessing national competence Cord blood collection 396
standards 293 Medicines and the midwife 396
Health and Care Professions Council 293 Congenital Disabilities (Civil Liability) Act 1976 397
Conclusions 293 Nurseries within midwifery departments 400
Reflection questions 294 Special care baby units 401
Further exercises 294 Cot deaths 405
References 295 Registration of births and stillbirths 405
Use of fetal tissue and placenta 406
12 H ealth and safety and the nurse 297 Record keeping and midwifery 406
AIDS and the midwife 407
Statutory provisions 298 N ational Institute for Health and Clinical
Corporate manslaughter and corporate homicide 318 Excellence (NICE) 407
Common law duties: employer’s duty 318 National guidelines on midwifery practice 407
Remedies available to an injured employee 320 Project 2020 410
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CONTENTS
Human Rights and birth 411 18 Nurse educator and researcher 4 87
Morecambe Bay NHS Trust 411
Independent midwifery 411 NMC and standards in education 488
The future 412 Record keeping by teachers 489
Conclusions 412 Liability for instructing others 490
Reflection questions 412 Hearing about unsound practices 490
Further exercises 412 Employment law 491
References 413 Legal aspects of research 492
Health Research Authority 496
15 T he nurse on the gynaecology ward 417 Confidentiality 497
Consent 497
Abortion 417
Health Education England 501
Sterilisation 430
Conclusions 502
Female circumcision 435
Reflection questions 503
Conclusions 437
Further exercises 503
Reflection questions 437
References 503
Further exercises 437
References 438 19 L egal aspects of the care of
16 Acute care 440 older people 505
Rights to care 506
Civil liability procedures and practices in theatre 441
National Service Framework for Older People 507
T he theatre nurse and the scope of professional
Intermediate care 509
practice 443
Consent to treatment 510
Accidents in the theatre 444
Force, restraint and assault 511
Consent in the theatre 445
Medication and the confused older patient 514
Recovery room nursing 447
Dementia 515
Transfusions and blood contamination 448
Standard of care 519
Organ transplantation 449
Risk management 521
Intensive care units: resource pressures 455
Abuse of older people 522
Review of critical care services 456
M ental Capacity Act 2005 and decision
Conclusions 457
making for the mentally incapacitated
Reflection questions 457
adult 525
Further exercises 458
Conclusions 526
References 458
Reflection questions 526
17 Learning disabilities 461 Further exercises 527
References 527
A cting in the best interests of a mentally
incapacitated adult 462 20 Nursing the mentally disordered 5 30
D eprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
(Bournewood) 465 Informal patients 531
Carers 468 Patients detained under mental health legislation 532
Court of Protection and Code of Practice 470 Holding power of the nurse 533
White Paper Valuing People 473 Compulsory detention of an informal inpatient 535
Safeguarding vulnerable adults 475 Compulsory admission 535
Sexual relations and related issues 476 Definition and role of nearest relative 539
Property 478 Role of the approved mental health professional 539
Direct payments 478 Informing the patient and relatives 541
Registration and inspections 482 Consent to treatment provisions 542
Conclusions 482 Community provisions 547
Reflection questions 483 National Service Frameworks 555
Further exercises 483 Mental health strategy and priorities 556
References 483 Conclusions 557
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CONTENTS
Reflection questions 558 Community matrons 640
Further exercises 558 The specialist community public
References 558 health nurse 641
The school nurse 641
21 A ccident and emergency, The clinic nurse 643
outpatients, genito-urinary The practice nurse 645
departments and day surgery 561 Developments in technology
and structure 646
Accident and emergency department 561 Conclusions 647
Outpatients department 569 Reflection questions 647
Genito-urinary medicine 571 Further exercises 647
Day surgery 573 References 648
Conclusions 574
Reflection questions 574 24 S cope of professional practice,
Further exercises 575 clinical nurse specialist and
References 575 consultant nurse 651
22 Human fertility and genetics 5 77 Scope of professional practice 652
Delegation and supervision 654
Artificial insemination 579 Nurse consultants 655
H uman Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 Clinical nurse specialists and specialist nurses 656
as amended by 2008 Act 581 C oncerns about developments in scope of
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) 585 professional practice 657
Embryos 587 Scope of professional practice in primary care 658
Confidentiality 591 Scope of professional practice in theatre nursing 659
Surrogacy 591 S cope of professional practice in emergency
Conscientious objection 594 nursing 660
Genetics 595 Scope of professional practice and X-rays 660
Gene therapy and genetic diagnosis 596 NHS 111 (formerly NHS Direct) and walk-in clinics 660
Gender selection 597 Modern matrons 661
Genetic screening and testing 598 Clinical supervision 662
Cloning 600 Agency nurses 663
Conclusions 602 Healthcare support workers 663
Reflection questions 602 Conclusions 664
Further exercises 602 Reflection questions 665
References 602 Further exercises 665
References 665
23 C ommunity and primary
care nursing 607
Part III
NHS and social services provision 608
Funding of long-term care 612 General areas 6 69
Care Act 2014 615
Human rights and care homes 625 25 Legal aspects of property 6 71
Delayed discharges 627
Carers 629 Principles of liability 672
Negligence 630 Administrative failures 673
Safety of the community professional 633 Exclusion of liability 673
Consent to treatment 636 Property of the mentally incompetent 674
Protection of property 638 Mental Capacity Act 2005 675
Disclosure of information 638 Day-to-day care of money 676
Criminal suspicion 638 Power of attorney 677
Standards: care homes 639 Court of Protection 678
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