The Framework encapsulates the recommendations made by the independent NHS Future Forum (a group of the country’s top health experts), which has published its interim advice on integrated care, patient information and public health in a modern NHS, after listening to thousands of NHS staff, patients and the public as well as voluntary sector organisations. The advice stresses that information about health and social care services must be published in a transparent and usable form and patients must have better access to health care records. It also calls for a national partnership across the NHS and public health.
The final reports, which will also include recommendations on education and training, will be published towards the end of the year.
In respect of the advice received, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said it "shows the importance of engaging with patients and staff to ensure services are designed around patients." The case reviews included in this edition highlight the importance of placing patient care at the centre of all healthcare decisions, even if that requires a challenge to ensure the best outcome is achieved.
I am also pleased to include a feature article by Tracy Cheung of our Hong Kong office. Tracy discusses the approach to mediation in Hong Kong. Providing an enlightening insight into the experience there, she offers a useful checklist for practitioners contemplating mediation on home shores.
In this issue:
Download Medical Law Brief - December 2011 (PDF, 51KB).