LW3MED-Medical Law

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Prof Chris Newdick

Email: c.newdick@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
An examination of common law reasoning, regulation and ethics in Medical Law.

Aims:

• To give students a sound understanding of common law reasoning in medical law.
• To enable them to see the extent to which ethics contributes to this fast developing subject.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this module it is expected that students will be able to:

• recognise the leading cases and statutes pertaining to disputes between doctors, patients, health authorities and the government;
• refer to the institutional setting in which disputes within the NHS arise;
• critically evaluate the contribution of ethical principles to legal development in the health care arena.

Additional outcomes:
This module is conducted by seminars in which students take an active part in the presentation of pre-assigned subjects. Students will also be encouraged to develop the ability to speak in a constructive and informed way to a group and to lead discussion.

Outline content:

• Medical Malpractice

- Standards of Diagnosis/Prognosis/Treatment
- Consent and Treatment

• National Health Service

- Statutory Regulation of the NHS
- Standards and Scare Resources

• Ethics

- End of life decision making.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Introductory lectures. Seminars operate on the basis that students agree to prepare in advance for discussion and co-operate with the group to advance and exchange information and ideas. There will be one non-assessed essay.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	16
Seminars		14
Guided independent study:	64	66	40
Total hours by term	80	80	40
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:
One three-hour examination paper. Four questions to be answered from a selection of questions.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%

Reassessment arrangements:
See School Guide (Programme Assessment).

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 4 April 2020