Working Independently within the Law 2010

• 8.45am–4.30pm, 30 September 2010
• Hilton East Midlands Airport Hotel, Castle Donnington, Derby

As Independent Therapists, once again, this was an exciting and essential course to improve our understanding of the Legal System, Negligence Liability, Consent to Treatment and how we Document and Keep Our Records. In our working practice we must ensure we have this knowledge. This was an excellent opportunity to learn what we needed to know about the Legal System – to become informed and not fearful. New to 2010: we also had the opportunity to discuss the impact of Social Networking relating to the Data Protection Act & laws around privacy. Following our professional Code of Ethics must be adhered to at all times when portraying ourselves in the public arena. We had 16 delegates and 13 expressed that both Howard and the contents of his course were excellent. 3 felt that the content was good and 2 that he was a good speaker (one person had not given Howard a rating). For Therapy Learning feedback people had felt that contact with us was: 6 = excellent, 9 good and 1 satisfactory.

Course outcomes

It is intended that at the conclusion of the programme the independent practitioner will have:

• sufficient knowledge to be able to practice in a manner which is safe and legal
• an informed understanding of the commonly met legal issues that affect their everyday practice
• analysed the legal implications of poor documentation and record keeping together with methods for improving current practice

Programme

08:45	Registration
09:15	THE LEGAL PROCESS Overview of the Legal system Legal status of the client/patient Human Rights Act and the Children Acts Retention of records; The Limitations Act 1980
10:45	Break
11:15	NEGLIGENCE LIABILITY Duty of care; the neighbour principle The duty of confidence Standard of care; the 'Bolam Test' Professional accountability
12:30	Lunch
13:30	CONSENT TO TREATMENT The legal test of capacity Informed consent; duty of disclosure of risk Refusal of treatment
15:00	Break
15:30	DOCUMENTATION AND RECORD KEEPING The importance of record keeping Legal defensibility of documents and records The Data Protection Act and social networking
4.30pm	Close

NB: All delegates received a free Law study book, updated by Howard in 2010, as a reference of the key points addressed within the programme. 

Speaker(s)

Howard Thomas

Howard has spoken at Therapy Learning events in the past and is known for his witty and engaging presentations! He is senior partner of Quantum Development with over 16 years’ NHS experience in senior management, training and education and tribunal work, he has studied civil and criminal law and teaches Health Law at all levels of the NHS. He is a qualified F.E. teacher, an experienced human resource and training professional and a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. He is also a visiting lecturer with the University of Cardiff and the University of Worcester.

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What attendees said

“Excellent course, wonderfully friendly hosts”
—Testimonial, Delegate on course

“Highly recommended & essential”
—Testimonial, Kerry Grady, OT

“A dry subject made fun, informative & interesting!”
—Testimonial, Ellie Burcher, OT

“Fascinating, informative & scary!”
—Testimonial, Delegate on course

“I liked the fact that I needed to take very few notes, lots of memorable examples & a comprehensive course booklet was supplied”
—Testimonial, Heather Saunders, SaLT

“Very comprehensive”
—Testimonial, Nikki Chapman, OT

“Essential training for any health professional”
—Testimonial, Delegate on course

“An essential day for all health care professionals”
—Testimonial, Delegate on course

“Very worthwhile”
—Testimonial, Angela Gordon, OT