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: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Therese Callus
Email: M.C.Callus@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Rachel Horton
Email: r.e.horton@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module examines legal, ethical and policy issues in the provision of healthcare in the UK. It explores the processes and principles in medical decision-making at both an institutional level and within the private doctor-patient relationship.  

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with a working knowledge of the law relating to rights of access to medical treatment, the institutional framework within which healthcare is delivered and considerations relevant to the private doctor-patient relationship. It will give students the opportunity to develop their common law reasoning skills, conduct research and build the habit of independent, critical thought. It will also encourage students to engage with topical legal and ethical debates concerning life and death decisions.

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.


• apply the relevant law to practical problem scenarios


• critically analyse the law and policy in the different areas studied and assess the need for reform


• explain the institutional setting in which disputes within the NHS arise;


• critically evaluate the role of patients, doctors and the courts in making medical treatment decisions and assess the balance between competing principles and rights.


• communicate complex legal and ethical concepts in the context of health law

Additional outcomes:

Through student-led seminar discussions, students will be expected to demonstrate effective oral communication of legal argument, and the ability to work as part of a team in preparing the discussion.

Outline content:

• Rights of access to treatment and healthcare


• Institutional and private decision-making processes


• Doctor-patient relationship and quality of care


• Patients’ rights

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The Autumn term will be in the form of lectures which will provide an outline framework of the main topics to be covered. The Spring term learning is by way of seminars which will enable the in-depth exploration and discussion of law, policy and ethics in the topics covered in the lectures. The seminars will be student-led with subgroups within each seminar preparing in advance a presentation on the material for discussion. There will be one piece of formative (non-assessed) work in the Sprin g term which will provide students with the opportunity to prepare for the final summative examination assessment. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10	10	2
Seminars	6	6
Guided independent study:	44	84	38
Total hours by term	60	100	40
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

On-line examination paper.  Three questions to be answered from a selection of questions. The exam questions will be divided into two sections (essays and problem questions) and at least one question from each section must be answered, with a total of three questions to be chosen. Students will have access to their notes and other resources as the assignment will be completed at home.

Detailed information on the release and submission will be provided by the School of Law.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

A practice assessment in the Spring term will provide a choice of either a problem or an essay question to be attempted to prepare students for the formative assessment. It should comply with the summative assessment maximum length of 1,250 words and be submitted via Blackboard.

On-going informal generic formative feedback will also be a feature of all seminars.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres 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 (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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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% overall

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: 25 September 2023