This short introductory text on health care law covers both institutional and substantive aspects of health care law and practice and is aimed at students of law, medicine, health service management and nursing. As the author has written the work at a straightforward level, it should be ideal reading for anyone wishing to obtain a general overview of the subject as well. The main objective here is the provision of a readable and accessible outline of the law governing health care. In order to achieve this the book avoids legal jargon. The book may be used both as a manual for practical reference and as the basis of a course of study. Chapters deal systematically with highly controversial and wide-ranging subjects such as abortion, euthanasia, malpractice, confidentiality, access to health care records, and the changing face of the NHS. While the book identifies and examines these areas of dispute over the law's interpretation, it avoids taking a partisan position. Further reading is referred to so that readers can follow up controversial areas while ethical debates are pointed out but not pursued.

The book sheds fresh light on all these areas of topical concern by emphasising health and the practice and practicability of health care in our society today rather than confining itself to discussions of medical law and ethics. Written fluently while explaining difficult material in simple, clear terms, here at last is a straightforward, enormously useful, and easily read book on medical law for both practitioners and the public.