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Br J Ophthalmol 2003;87:383 doi:10.1136/bjo.87.4.383
  • Commentary

Is medicolegal work a duty?

  1. R J Leitch
  1. Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust, UK; rjlhome@dircon.co.uk

      It is

      Clinical situations leading to complaints are increasing in frequency and it is important that they are handled in a fair and open way. Many complaints can be resolved locally; however, where there has been a perceived adverse outcome legal advice may be sought. Advocates protecting the rights of patients will seek expert opinion to guide them. Frequently these cases are complex and outcomes are not ideal. Patients and their families may have suffered a great deal.

      The role of the expert is to identify what has happened and to interpret events and pathology so that all involved can follow them. The responsibility of the expert is to the court. However, this does not mean that all experts will agree. Increasingly, procedure rules stipulate how …

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