‘The government has agreed to change the wording in its new maternity leave legislation from referring to “pregnant people” to “mothers” after the phrasing was rejected by the House of Lords – despite gender-neutral language being government convention.’
The Independent, 26th February 2021
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘MPs have voted to give ministers formal paid maternity leave for the first time, hailed as an “important and long overdue change” as the government pledged to bring forward more sweeping maternity protections before the summer recess.’
The Guardian, 11th February 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Northern Ireland’s human rights commission (NIHRC) has launched a landmark legal action against the UK government for its failure to commission safe and accessible abortion services more than a year after abortion was made legal in the country, the Guardian can reveal.’
The Guardian, 10th January 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Ministers have been told they must “stamp out” a “normal” birth ideology in NHS maternity services that puts babies and mothers lives at risk. The call came after an inquiry report into poor care at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust found many women were medicated and forced to endure traumatic births with some being denied caesarean sections in order to keep rates low.’
The Independent, 10th December 2020
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘A police force has defended the use of a Taser by one of its officers on a pregnant woman who lost her baby after the stun gun was fired at her.’
The Guardian, 21st October 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The 10-year limit for storing eggs frozen for social reasons could be scrapped to give people concerned about declining fertility more time and options, says a UK ethics body.’
BBC News, 30th September 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Hundreds more cases are to be reviewed by an independent inquiry into maternity care at an NHS trust, BBC News has learned.’
BBC News, 10th July 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘A woman who faces decades of repayments to the NHS for maternity care has lost a case in the high court challenging the government’s healthcare charging regime for migrants.’
The Guardian, 1st July 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The prison service has launched an investigation following the death of a baby in prison, the Guardian has learned.’
The Guardian, 19th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A pregnant healthcare assistant is mounting a legal action against NHS Professionals, an employment agency owned by the Department of Health and Social Care, for refusing to put her on furlough, in what could be a landmark action for other vulnerable workers bearing the brunt of the lockdown.’
The Guardian, 13th May 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘COVID-19 is a dangerous reality for prisoners. As of 18 April 2020, confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in over half of prisons in England and Wales. There have been 13 suspected COVID-19 deaths among prisoners[1]. Amongst this wider concern, those who are pregnant and children in custody may be particularly anxious during this unprecedented time.’
One Pump Court, 21st April 2020
Source: onepumpcourt.co.uk
‘Clinical negligence litigation continues apace as Simeon Maskrey QC, sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge, handed down Judgment last week in a clinical negligence birth injury case (severe neuro-disability consequent upon an acute near total hypoxic-ischaemic insult) following a two-week trial which concluded early last month. This case highlights the ever-increasing importance placed on a patient’s right to autonomy in the decision-making process and the need to ensure that any information provided, including as to the risks to themselves and their baby, is properly understood and appreciated (Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board [2015] UKSC 1 considered).’
Park Square Barristers, 16th April 2020
Source: www.parksquarebarristers.co.uk
‘The Supreme Court has held that a defendant hospital trust must pay for the cost of a commercial surrogacy arrangement abroad despite such arrangements being unlawful in the UK.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 3rd April 2020
Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘The claimant in this case had a number of cervical smear tests carried out. Each test was negligently reported to the effect that the hospital failed to detect her cervical cancer, leaving her infertile. Before having chemo-radiotheraphy, the claimant had 8 eggs collected and frozen. She sought to have four children and her preference was for surrogacy arrangements in California on a commercial basis. The present appeal concerned the damages payable for the loss of her ability to have her own child. The High Court had dismissed the claimant’s claim for commercial surrogacy in California as contrary to public policy, and held that surrogacy using donor eggs was not restorative of the claimant’s fertility but allowed damags for own-egg surrogacies in the UK. The Court of Appeal found in favour of the claimant. The hospital appealed to the Supreme Court.’
UKSC Blog, 1st April 2020
Source: ukscblog.com
‘A woman who wants to have surrogate children through commercial agreements in California has won her claim that the NHS should pay for the treatment.’
The Guardian, 1st April 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘An analysis of the ethical and legal considerations underpinning a decision to inform a patient’s relatives about a diagnosis of a genetic disorder in light of the recent judgment handed down in ABC v St Georges Healthcare and Others [2020] EWHC 455 (QB).’
Exchange Chambers, 25th March 2020
Source: www.exchangechambers.co.uk
‘In 2007 C’s father (XX) killed his wife, C’s mother. He was made the subject of a hospital order. He was treated by D1’s multidisciplinary team. In 2009 his care was transferred to Dr O, a consultant forensic psychiatrist. C took part in family therapy sessions through D2. There was a suspicion that XX had Huntington’s disease but he refused to undergo genetic testing. He did not want C or her sister to know. His patient confidentiality was respected by D1 and D2. About this time C became pregnant. In 2013 C tested positive for Huntington’s. C was accidentally informed that XX had tested positive.’
No. 5 Chambers, 10th March 2020
Source: www.no5.com
‘A solicitor who sacrificed possible partnership at a magic circle law firm to have children has been awarded an extra £400,000 in her divorce settlement with an equity partner at the same firm.’
Legal Futures, 3rd March 2020
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
© Inner Temple Library 2021