Nursing Law and Ethics explores a variety of key legal and ethical issues in nursing practice using a thought-provoking and holistic approach.  It addresses both what the law requires and what is right, and explores whether these two are always the same.

The book provides an overview of the legal, ethical and professional dimensions of nursing, followed by exploration of key issues in greater depth.  This edition features updated legislation and new material on patient safety.

Accessible, relevant, and comprehensive, this title is ideal for pre- and post-registration nurses.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

John Tingle is Head of International Development and Reader in Health Law at Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University.

Alan Cribb is Professor of Bioethics and Education at Kings College London and Director of the Centre for Public Policy Research.

Notes on Contributors vii

Preface to the Fourth Edition ix

Preface to the Third Edition xi

Preface to the Second Edition xiii

Preface to the First Edition xiv

Part One: The Dimensions 1

1 The Legal Dimension: Legal System and Method 3John Hodgson

2 The Ethical Dimension: Nursing Practice, Nursing Philosophy and Nursing Ethics 22Alan Cribb

3 The Regulatory Perspective: Professional Regulation of Nurses and Midwives 34Fiona Culley and Anupama Thompson

4 The Complaints Dimension: Patient and Family Complaints in Health Care 51Peter Walsh

5 The Policy Dimension: Moving Beyond the Rhetoric Towards a Safer NHS 68John Tingle

Part Two: The Perspectives 99

6 Negligence

A The Legal Perspective 101 Charles Foster

B An Ethical Perspective Negligence and Moral Obligations 118Harry Lesser

7 Consent and the Capable Adult Patient

A The Legal Perspective 128Jean McHale

B An Ethical Perspective Consent and Patient Autonomy 151Bobbie Farsides

8 Responsibility, Liability and Scarce Resources

A The Legal Perspective 166Tracey Elliott

B An Ethical Perspective How to Do the Right Thing 192David Seedhouse

9 Mental Health Nursing

A The Legal Perspective 201Leon McRae

B An Ethical Perspective Compulsion and Autonomy 235Harry Lesser

10 The Critically Ill Patient

A The Legal Perspective 249Jo Samanta

B An Ethical Perspective 271Robert Campbell

11 Clinical Governance

A The Legal Perspective 286Vanessa L. Mayatt

B An Ethical Perspective 304Lucy Frith

12 Clinical Research and Patients

A The Legal Perspective 320Natasha Hammond-Browning

B An Ethical Perspective Nursing Research 358Richard Ashcroft

13 The Elderly

A Older People and Nursing Care 368Jonathan Herring

B Person-Centred Care, Personal Identity and the Interests of People with Dementia 394Michael DunnTable of Cases 401 Table of Statutes 410 Index 413