Diploma in Healthcare Law

Programme objectives

On completion of this training programme, participants will have:

• A comprehensive understanding of medical negligence claims. The areas examined include the practice and procedure, sample pleadings, and case management attendant to such claims;
• An in-depth knowledge of the practical issues that arise when advising both private hospitals and consultants and separately the distinct issues that arise in respect of public hospitals and the State Claims Agency;
• Knowledge of the pragmatic considerations incumbent upon parties to litigation in their preparation for trial including assessing prospects of success, preparing proofs and assessments and the application of relevant case law; constitutional and civil rights that apply in the healthcare field;
• A knowledge of the current obligations on healthcare providers regarding record management vis-a-vis e-healthcare and data protection obligations;
• A full understanding of the nature of professional regulation and the practice and procedure relevant to statutory enquiries.

Programme structure and approach to learning

This course will provide practitioners with a comprehensive overview of the law governing healthcare in this jurisdiction, as well as analysis and insights in relation to the relevant practice and procedure in Ireland. In the first half of the course, the focus is on medical negligence claims. The second section of the course will cover the areas of medical records/ data protection, constitutional rights and healthcare regulation.

The learning experience will be enhanced by practical input from expert practitioners in their area and from leading contributors by way of workshops and case-study sessions. Notable features include a healthcare regulation workshop facilitated by representatives from all the major healthcare regulatory bodies.

Modules

The programme is based on the following module scheme and covers key themes as listed below:

Part A

Module 1: Introduction to medico legal claims handling

• Practice and procedure , sample pleadings, and case management,
• Practical advices when acting for private hospitals,
• The State Claims Agency.

Module 2: Preparing for trial

• Instructing counsel,
• Healthcare precedent.

Part B

Module 3: Constitutional & civil rights

• Guardianship,
• Mental health law,
• Inquests before the coroner,
• Birth issues,
• End of life issues.

Module 4: Record management

• E-healthcare,
• Data protection obligations,
• Freedom of information.

Module 5: Healthcare regulation

• Professional regulation - case studies,
• Statutory enquiries - practice and procedure,
• Inquests before the coroner.

Find out more and apply.