麻豆社

An independent review has called for tighter rules around when doctors face gross negligence manslaughter charges. It comes after six-year-old Jack Adcock died because of errors by his doctor, Hadiza Bawa-Garba, who was suspended for a year. The General Medical Council appealed the decision and had her barred completely but there were protests by some who argued that pressures in the NHS were partly to blame and that doctors would be deterred from admitting to mistakes. The Health and Social Care Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has accepted the main findings of the review which said that the GMC should lose its right to appeal against tribunal decisions and there should be a clearer understanding of when manslaughter charges should be brought in healthcare. Jack's mother, Nicola Adcock, is furious at the decision. Prof Sir Norman Williams who led the review that recommended the change says that appeal mechanisms still exist.

Image: Jack Adcock, credit: family handout)