Legal Aspects of Midwifery

The essential guide to the law pertaining to midwifery. Jargon free, relevant and easily understood with websites clearly signposted. Accessible, popular, comprehensive dealing with the legal issues arising in situations relevant to all midwives. A readable textbook on the law relating to midwifery practice which discusses the legal issues arising in typical situations encountered by midwives. Written by a well-known author of many books on legal aspects of healthcare.

Covers the essential topics which midwifery students and practitioners need to understand to see how the law impacts upon their practice. Chapters cover: human rights and midwifery practice, consent to treatment, confidentiality and patient access to records, handling complaints, the rights of the unborn, legal issues relating to teenagers and pregnancy, negligence, records and record keeping, health and safety, medicines, criminal law and issues relating to letting neonates die, and termination of pregnancy. The Francis Report on the Mid Staffs NHS Foundation Trust is discussed and the repercussions for patients, midwives and managers are considered, as well as the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and its implications for midwives.