Community Care Practice and the Law

Managers at all levels in the health and social services daily make decisions concerning the care and treatment of their patients and clients and its funding. What are the legal implications? Media attention on a "two-tier health service" and social care "rationing" is increasing; these issues will be of pressing concern, and their financial implications considerable. This book is a practical guide to the legal implications of community care policy and practice. It offers informed analysis and discussion and should be an essential reference for managers in the social and health services, in both statutory and voluntary sectors, and for the legal profession. It is in two parts. The first discusses some of the more contentious aspects of community care and their legal implications. It puts forward suggestions about the likely attitude of the courts should community care cases come to trial in either the private or public law arenas. The second takes the reader through the community care process, beginning with topics such as planning and publicity, and moving on to referral, assessment and review. Each section in this part contains a summary, extracts from legislation and guidance, followed by discussion and analysis.