PGDip Healthcare Ethics and Law (online)

• To introduce students to a range of philosophies and ideologies that underpin mental health legislation, past and present.
• To facilitate students’ understanding of law and policy on mental health issues in England and Wales.
• To encourage students to develop textual research skills.
• To encourage students to work collaboratively with fellow peers.

• Understand the scope and application of English mental health law and its relevance to a range of academic disciplines and emerging policy initiatives.
• Examine the effectiveness of mental health law by reference to principles/philosophies from relevant disciplines (psychiatry, psychology, ethics, criminology, social policy). 
• Articulate your knowledge in written and oral form.
• Make effective use of a range of paper and electronic legal research tools to support your learning and research.

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 20-35 hours

Research and directed reading - 60 hours

Preparation of assignments - 60 hours

Total = 140-155 hours.

You will be assessed by an assignment. The essay questions will be provided by the tutors of this Course Unit.

Feedback on progress will provided throughout this course via one-to-one email or phone contact and via the online discussion boards. Formative feedback will also be provided by way of peer assessment via online discussion.

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.

We have produced a detailed workbook for you.  For that reason we do not insist that you purchase a core textbook in mental health law.  However, if you wish to buy one, there are a number of books that you will find useful, most of which are available in the library.  These include:

• Brenda Hale, Mental Health Law (2017);
• Richard Jones, Mental Capacity Act Manual (2018);
• Bartlett and Sandland, Mental Health Law: Policy and Practice (2014)