PGDip Healthcare Ethics and Law (online)

The aims of this course unit are:

 - To offer you a sound understanding of the role of the law in regulating

health care practice, in identifying and enforcing the rights of patients and

in seeking to resolve ethical dilemmas in medicine.

_ To develop your ability to appreciate how fundamental principles of law are

applied in a particularly complex social context and to introduce you to

how the law deals with problems of health care ethics.

_ To provide an introduction to key principles of health care law in England

and Wales such as patient autonomy and the obligation of confidentiality.

We will also consider the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the

law governing access to health care and negligence claims.

This is a fully distance learning course unit.  You will receive course materials and access to an online virtual learning environment.  The course materials are designed to guide you through the areas of study.

These interactive specially designed materials provide an introduction to the issues and skills central to the course unit and direct you to other study components such as further reading. However, the course materials and guidance are not intended to be exhaustive. To get the most out of this course unit you should do as much independent reading as possible.

Working through the course materials 70-100 hours

Research and directed reading - 120 hours

Preparation of assignments - 80 hours

Total = 300 hours.

Know the relevant case law and legislation and their relationship to the ethical debate

Be familiar with current literature and research in this area

_ Have enhanced your skills in analysing the role of law in areas of social

concern and controversy

_ Have been exposed to a range of relevant literature and developed your

own research skills

_ Have established the foundations to enable you to undertake further

independent study in greater depth

The course will be assessed by coursework with a maximum word limit of 4500 words.

Formative feedback on progress will provided throughout this course via one-to-one email or phone/Zoom/Teams contact and via the online discussion boards. 

Feedback on assessed written work is provided online providing comprehensive feedback giving both broad indications and detailed comments on strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement.

M. Brazier and E. Cave and R. Heywood,  Medicine Patients and the Law [7th edition] (Manchester University Press, 2023)

A-M Farrell and E.S Dove, Mason and McCall Smith's Law and Medical Ethics, [12th Edition] (Oxford University Press, 2023) 

The following cases and materials book is recommended as an additional useful source:

E. Jackson, Medical Law: Text, Cases and Materials [6th edition] (Oxford University Press, 2022).

This is a compulsory course unit for distance learning Healthcare Ethics & Law Master's programmes in The Department of Law.