Please note that this exercise is hypothetical and any views given are a lay perspective and not a substitute for formal legal counsel and advice.

This article is a discussion of some recent landmark cases of relevance and a review of sources of law, such as common law and statutory law, European Union law and the European Convention on Human Rights (still relevant at present), and civil and criminal law.

This is the first of four articles discussing the concept of accountability for eye care practitioners. In this article, the author focuses firstly upon criminal accountability and the need for clinicians to disclose any conviction or other information of criminal relevance into the public domain where this is seen to outweigh the normal duty of confidentiality that the individual usually has owed to them. The issues of burden of proof and of non-disclosure are included. Secondly, there is consideration of accountability relating to our professional regulator, the GOC, and a clarification of their requirements for registered practitioners.

The second article on accountability discusses employment and legal aspects of working as an employed practitioner, and then goes on to look in detail at practitioner accountability when working within the NHS

The final article concerning accountability looks at accountability within civil law and explains the processes surrounding clinical negligence, duty of care and the ‘Bolam’ test.

This article discusses issues around informed consent and disclosure and the distinction between peer-view consent to patient-view’ informed consent.

The final article in the series returns to the concept of accountability with a discussion of the inter-related accountability of practitioners and the process of complaints or grievances. It also includes an overview of what is currently required to maintain good practice, including staying within your own competency, keeping adequate records and ensuring patient satisfaction.

Once you have read through the source material, please attempt the 6 multiple choice questions.