LW7116 - Clinical Negligence

You will learn through lectures, seminars and independent learning. You will be supported by a teaching and learning plan/ module handbook which provides an outline of the activities (independent study/reading, informal practice assessments) throughout the module.

Directed learning will centre on twelve lectures which will introduce the fundamental principles of clinical negligence law and practice that will enable you to prepare for the workshops. The lectures and workshops will be supported by learning materials which will be made available via the module dedicated e-Learning (eLP) site and will include guided reading using electronic reading lists, recorded lectures and self-evaluative tasks.

Independent learning will centre on you with reference to the module materials identifying further reading and research to provide deeper/broader knowledge and understanding of the practice of clinical negligence.

You will be provided with detailed feedback on your formative and summative assessment for this module. The feedback on your formative assessment will form part of your reflective development and can be utilised in the preparation of the module summative assessment. You are therefore able to demonstrate self-reflection and reflective practice within the module and on the programme as a whole, with feedback of appropriate quality and the positive application of formative feedback on learning.

The University is well-placed to support you in learning and research with an excellent library and teaching facilities, access to on-line legal databases and resources and appropriate software.

This module is designed and will be managed by your designated Module Tutor who will be responsible for guiding you in your engagement and learning on the module. Academic support will include feedback from tutors during large and small group sessions. All relevant materials and instructions will be accessible on-line through the module eLP site, maintained by your Module Tutor, who will also provide updates on issues of current legal significance. Extensive use is therefore made of the eLP at module level to provide materials, make announcements and to highlight recent developments in the law. You may communicate with your Module Tutor or Seminar Tutor by e-mail or telephone or in person in your large or small group session and are encouraged to make contact if you encounter any difficulties relating to any aspect of the module.

Academic support is also available through summative and formative feedback on the examination and a module teaching and learning handbook detailing delivery structure and any University requirements. At programme level you will be supported by the Programme Leader and a Guidance Tutor who will provide pastoral support throughout the module and the programme as a whole.

The Programme Administration and Student Liaison teams are responsible for the non-academic administration of the module, such as returning your marked examination and recording your marks. They will contact you throughout the duration of your module with details about the assessment date and other issues.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
At the end of this module you will have:
• Developed an in depth knowledge and a critical understanding of clinical negligence law and practice in England and Wales.

• You will be able to display this knowledge in your ability to advise a client on the law of clinical negligence and how a claim can be brought through the Courts.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
At the end of this module you will have:
• Developed an ability to conduct rigorous and independent legal research in the area of clinical negligence law and practice, selecting, using and applying the relevant material to identify issues, construct arguments and present legal information clearly.
• Developed an ability to reflect on and crtically evaluate clinical negligence law and practice.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
At the end of this module you will have:
• Gained a critical awareness of the legal issues surrounding clinical negligence law and practice and to reflect on these issues.

Formative assessment will be provided by oral feedback in Workshops on the formative tasks that are required for effective Workshop participation. You will also be provided with feedback through the tasks you carry out through the eLP.

Summative assessment will be a 3000 word coursework which will be based on a clinical negligence scenario and centered around a problem question or questions and will be practical in nature.

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This module examines the law and practice of clinical negligence in England and Wales. The focus is on the law behind establishing a successful clinical negligence claim and the procedures which apply in order to bring a resolution to a patient. You will consider how to establish a claim through looking at standard of care and causation and how to bring the claim to court through instructing experts and quantifying the claim. You will critically engage with research outputs as part of your research rich learning, drawing on Northumbria’s extensive on-line databases and library facilities.