title: The future for Medico-Legal disputes - a patient perspective.
abstract: This article, taken from a presentation to the Medico-Legal Society, discusses the prospects for patient safety and access to justice in the wake of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust public inquiry and the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act. Particular reference is made to the arguments for and against a statutory Duty of Candour; clinical negligence litigation; patient complaints and specialist advice and support for people affected by medical accidents.
authors.affiliation: Chief Executive of Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA).
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D034462:Dissent and Disputes / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D061214:Patient Safety / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: AvMA; Duty of Candour; Mid Staffordshire; Robert Francis QC; Stafford; candour; clinical negligence; complaints; litigation; open disclosure