Introduction

Not only is this the inaugural post for this particular blog, but this is also my first ever blog entry. A momentous occasion I'm sure you'll all agree.

Medical law is a fascinating subject. For a start it is incredibly broad. The reality is that medical law is not a distinct legal discipline. Anyone who studies this subject and/or practices in this area of law quickly realises that the term 'medical law' is used as a label of convenience to describe the application of core principles of other legal disciplines in a healthcare setting. Thus we see individual's making use of administrative law and the judicial review process as a way to challenge a decision not to fund a particular course of treatment. Alternatively we might see recourse made to the criminal law when a medical professional's negligent actions result in a patient's death.

Not only is medical law cover a broad subject area, but it is also deals with a rapidly changing area of law. Advances in technology and medicine are such that the law struggle to keep abreast of the latest developments. Legislators, therefore, find themselves with the unenviable task of trying to draw up legislation which preempts any potentially undesirable/controversial developments within medical science, whilst at the same time trying not to unnecessarily and unduly hamper the potentially beneficial developments which may arise from the same technological and medical advances.

Together these factors mean that it is almost impossible to keep abreast of the latest developments in this field of law. I am all to aware that such information is hidden away in a wide variety of sources. Similarly I am also all too aware of the ever present problem of information overload. Consequently this blog is my attempt to aid you all in this difficult task by digesting the avaialble information, highlighting the week's key medical law stories and providing you with links to help take you directly to the primary sources.

I hope you find this to be a valuable resource.