Psychiatry

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What is it?

Psychiatrists are medically qualified doctors who specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioural disorders.

The medicolegal implications of the suicidal patient in psychiatric practice

by Dr Priscilla Kent, Consultant Psychiatrist

The loss of a family member by suicide is often extremely traumatic for those left behind and litigation in these circumstances is very common. However, as with every medicolegal case, it is necessary to prove that the treating psychiatrist and/or hospital staff were negligent and it was this negligence that led to the patient’s death. 

A medicolegal perspective on cervical spine injuries 

The cervical spine, consisting of the bones in the neck, plays a crucial role in supporting the head and protecting the spinal cord. Despite being relatively rare, cervical spine injuries are significant due to their potential severity and the need for prompt diagnosis to avoid devastating consequences.