News extra [these stories appear only on the web]

Private clinic claims it is not liable for failings

BMJ 2006; 332 doi: 10.1136/bmj.332.7533.72-d (Published 12 January 2006)
Cite this as: BMJ 2006;332:72.5

Access to the full text of this article requires a subscription or payment. Please log in or subscribe below.

  1. Clare Dyer, legal correspondent
  1. BMJ

    A private clinic that treats NHS patients under contract is seeking to appeal a court ruling holding it legally liable if treatment goes wrong.

    The case, believed to be the first of its kind, has exposed a potential problem with local agreements made between the NHS and private providers to cut waiting lists by contracting out routine surgery.

    The case has been brought by Frances Johnson of Knottingley, near Pontefract, West Yorkshire, who was referred by her GP in 2002 to the privately run Birkdale Clinic, which carries out cataract operations on NHS patients. She had complications after her operation …

    Access to the full text of this article requires a subscription or payment

    Subscribe

    Article access

    Article access for 1 day

    Purchase this article for £20 $30 €32*

    The PDF version can be downloaded as your personal record

    * Prices do not include VAT

    Rapid responses

    THIS WEEK'S POLL

    BMJ most popular