Medical and life sciences
Artificial intelligence and diagnostics in the medical sector
Our Medical and Life Sciences team take a look at the use of artificial intelligence and diagnostics in the second instalment of this 3 part vlog series.
Read moreThe future of the medical products sector
In the first of our vlog series we focus on the future of the medical products sector, specifically where the sector is heading and what risks and opportunities might lie ahead.
Read moreJackie Doyle-Price appointed Minister for the Prevention of Suicides
What is the role of the Minister for the Prevention of Suicides, and how will her appointment impact Insurers?
Read moreStephen Hawking's big questions for Life Sciences
Stephen Hawking's posthumously published "Brief Answers to the Big Questions" is a fascinating foretelling of legal challenges that the life sciences sector may face.
Read moreFake news is bad news for patients
Gee v DePuy International Limited shows that fake news in the healthcare sector is bad news for the public
Read moreDr Bawa-Garba wins appeal against strike off
On Monday, the Court of Appeal unanimously found in Dr Bawa Garba's favour meaning she now is able to seek work as a Junior Doctor.
Read moreOnline Prescriptions or Real Life Addictions?
With the rules around online prescribing set to be strengthened, we consider why these changes have come about, and what it might mean for patients and prescribers.
Read moreUS talc litigation has important lessons for UK insurers
Although it is unlikely litigation involving household staples such as talcum powder could succeed in the UK, the ongoing US litigation underlines a significant trend in product liability exposures.
Read moreMedicinal Cannabis: the debate continues
With the debate over medicinal cannabis still going strong, we update you on recent developments which have dominated the headlines.
Read moreIntroducing the new Health Secretary…
Who is Matt Hancock, our new Health Secretary, and what impact will his appointment have?
Read moreOff-label medicine: as bad as it sounds?
Consider this: the prescription your doctor wrote for you may not be "officially" approved for your illness. Before you panic, this may not be as alarming as you think
Read moreIreland Voted Yes – What next?
Considers yes vote in Irish abortion referendum
Read moreLandmark decision in Metal-on-Metal Hip product liability litigation
Considers the decision in the DePuy Pinnacle Metal-on-Metal hip litigation and what impact this will have on manufacturers and their insurers.
Read moreA spa day, on doctor's orders…
We are increasingly focussed on living more sustainably with what we eat and the products that we use. Applying a similar mind-set to medicine, might we see a resurgence of traditional natural therapeutic treatments like spa treatments?
Read moreLife After Death…
How was a baby born four years after the death of his parents? And what does this mean for IVF providers in the UK?
Read moreHome is where you hang your medical test
At-home medical tests can be useful diagnostic tools, but this carries risks for patients or insurers. Medical malpractice and product liability insurers need to plan for the future.
Read moreCourt of Appeal's history lesson for claimants bringing personal injury claims
Healthcare providers and manufacturers of medical products will welcome a judgment from the Court of Appeal that found against a claimant for failing to give notice of funding in time.
Read moreThe future of the NHS: Concerns and comparisons
New poll suggests greater concerns over cuts to NHS funding than terrorism threat.
Read moreUsing data to bring innovative products to the market … and keep them there
There are now more and more opportunities to collect and use health data to innovate, improve efficiency and improve care. The same data could prove very useful in responding to the threat of litigation too
Read moreBawa-Garba case exposes shortcomings in management of medical errors
Urgent government review of medical malpractice underway following conviction of Dr Bawa-Garba and the management of medical mistakes.
Read moreCould Cannabis be the Cure?
With the upsetting case of Alfie Dingley dominating news headlines, the UK Government is being asked to reconsider its approach to medicinal cannabis. But what would this mean for manufacturers, healthcare professionals, and, most importantly, potential patients?
Read moreAn aspirin a day…
Discusses research that suggests aspirin can reduce risk of colon cancer in patients with Lynch Syndrome
Read moreFixed Recoverable Costs: When lawyers come 'cap' in hand
Working group developing a cap on recoverable costs for lawyers in clinical negligence claims
Read moreA game changer for concussion injuries? New study investigating CTE creates a potential headache for defendants and their insurers
A new study shows that repeated hits to the head, not concussions, cause chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the neurodegenerative disease experienced by American football players, boxers and other athletes.
Read moreBrexit chess game to be played out at Chequers
The Life Sciences industry demands certainty over the Government's approach to regulation after Brexit. It is hoped that Government meetings this month will achieve that.
Read moreMr Justice Langstaff to chair contaminated blood inquiry
Mr Justice Langstaff will lead the public inquiry into how contaminated blood transfusions infected thousands of people with HIV and hepatitis C in the 1970s and 80s
Read moreMonkey See, Monkey Do
Implications for humans and animals of the recent successful cloning of monkeys by Chinese researchers
Read moreDuty calls: What information should be provided to patients following treatment?
Summary of the High Court's recent decision in a case concerning the duty to inform a patient of treatment outcomes and the requirement for follow-up, further treatment, or monitoring.
Read moreOrgan donation: have your say
Organ donation is, for some, a difficult topic of conversation, but a Government consultation is encouraging us to think about it and share our views.
Read moreNew Year, New You? How about joining the virtual reality gym…
Looking to beat the January gym rush? Well, look no further than American based firm Black Box VR who have combined gaming and gyming to create a virtual reality workout using just a resistance machine and headset.
Read moreAbortion clinics will be rated by CQC
The Department of Health announces broader powers for the Care Quality Commission to rate independent healthcare providers.
Read more3 lessons that UK pharmaceutical manufacturers can learn from the US opioid epidemic
3 lessons that UK pharmaceutical manufacturers can learn from the US opioid epidemic
Read moreRoll up your sleeve – CJEU injects some influence in to vaccination case
Summary of Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decision in vaccination case
Read moreMaking made to measure medicine: tailored to suit
Summary of key points emerging from MHRA guidance on the importance of human factors in the development of new medical devices.
Read moreIndependent inquiry launched into malpractice of Ian Paterson
The Department of Health has announced the launch of an independent inquiry into the circumstances and practices surrounding the activity of convicted breast surgeon Ian Paterson.
Read moreEngagement news
Manufacturers and insurers may have missed Prince Harry's news on Monday in the general excitement surrounding the Government's Industrial Strategy, announced on the same day.
Read moreBereavement Damages incompatible with European Convention on Human Rights
Consideration of the Court of Appeal decision in Smith v Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation and others that restriction on awards for bereavement damages under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 are incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Read moreMobile health app developers take note – the importance of patient safety
'Natural Cycles' and 'GP at Hand' are examples of apps revolutionising healthcare. Developers must take all appropriate steps to mitigate the risk of harm to patient safety.
Read moreWhat next for the Discount Rate?
A discussion of the proposed date of implementation for the new discount rate / Ogden rate following a government consultation in 2017. The discount rate was reduced by the Lord Chancellor from 2.5% to minus 0.75% in February, but is expected to increase to between 0% and 1% following lobbying from the insurance industry and other bodies including the NHS.
Read moreCabinet office to oversee contaminated blood inquiry
Statutory public inquiry announced into how contaminated blood transfusions infected thousands with HIV and hepatitis C in the 1970s and 80s.
Read moreA Shift in Vicarious Liability (Armes v Nottinghamshire County Council)
Armes v Nottinghamshire County Council [2017] UKSC 60. A review of recent case law extending Vicarious Liability and the impact this will have on organisations and their insurers.
Read moreGovernment to cover negligence claims against GPs
Government to cover negligence claims against GPs
Read moreMedical device concerns and MHRA compliance
Increase in medical devices regulatory alerts and how to respond to concerns
Read moreLandmark ruling on end of life care
Huntington's patient: Court rules Court application no longer necessary in end of life care where patient's family and doctors are in agreement
Read moreThe costs of surrogacy: a valid and separate head of claim
A claimant has been awarded £74,000 for the costs of a surrogacy arrangement, following a hospital's delay in diagnosing cervical cancer.
Read moreWelcoming new red tape
The Medical Devices Regulation 2017 is good news for insurers in the life sciences sector. More data on safety and performance will be collected on products before they get to the market
Read more"Please sir, may I have some more [damages for failure to consent]?" No, says the Court of Appeal.
Shaw v Kovac: Court of Appeal rejects claim for an additional, separate award of damages for failure to obtain informed consent.
Read moreElection result may be a boost for insurers of highly regulated products
The political uncertainty following last week’s general election could in fact be good news for insurers of heavily regulated products, such as medical devices.
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