.~

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DR. PUTERI NEMIE JAHN KASSIM

•International Law Book Services

NURSINGLAW AND

ETHICS

DR. PUTERI NEl\lIE JAHN KASSIMProfessor

Ahmad~mfuhimKulliyyah of Laws.Iht~mati6"riaII"hlmic Uril\ersity Mala;'sia

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First Published: 2012

© Dr. Puteri Nemie Jahn Kassim

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FOREWORD

I am delighted to write the foreword for thispublication on NURSING LAW AND ETHICS.1\"ursing is a profession that touches the lives ofindividuals of all ages. The Nurses rendered theirservices from the womb to the tomb. In executingtheir daily duties, nurses are faced with many ethical

and legal dilemmas. In order to make decisions that comply withethical and legal standards, it is crucial for nurses to be knowledgeablein knowing how law, ethics and nursing practice interface.

My heartiest congratulations to Professor Dr Puteri Nemie JahnKassim for being the Author of this book, which nurses must read.This book is timely and very important as the growing realizationof the importance of law and ethics in the nursing career is gainingits momentum. Without the kno\vledge of law and ethics. nurses arenot able to make appropriate decisions that will not be in conflictwith the requirements and expectations of the legal and ethicalstandards. This book further, offers valuable insights into the mainlegal, ethical principles and case scenarios relevant to the nursingpractice. With such good knowledge, nurses are able to understandthe medico-legal issues that can affect their profession and tryto protect themselves as early as possible from all types of legalproblems.

11 Foreword

Prof Dr Puteri had published several la,,,, books. and I believeshe is the Authority of the subject. Her continuous effort to createawareness of the subject matter which she is so passionate about.is highly commendable. The book will be a guide for Nurses.Lav.'yers. Students, Doctors and the general public, who are interestedin knowing about the Nursing Law and Ethics.

DR DArvlE HlH. RA\lZIAH BT. HJ AH:\IAD (AM!". PJKJ

PhD CVT (Hydrotherapy Ice), B Sc N( Hons)(C\1),Dip. Advanced :\sg. (Admin) Ur..1.CSSD Cert.. Counseling Cert. Certified Professional Trainer UK.rvlD CVT (Hydrotherapy Ice), B Sc CVT (Hydrotherapy Ice). RN. SCfI,I (Part I)

PRESIDEKT OF MALAYSIAK NURSES ASSOCIATION

PREFACE

Recent changes in the provIsIOn of health care have contributed tothe growing importance of nursing la\\1 and ethics. The role of nurseshas transgressed into many litigated areas concerning issues innegligence, infonned consent, confidentiality and euthanasia. Thenursing legislations do not cater for many legal and ethical issues,which require a comprehensive set of law with considerableconvergence between legal and ethical judgments. Technologicaladvances in health care have also created challenges for the nursingprofession. These challenges would require them to redress theimbalance by becoming more active in ethical decision-makingand become a generalist and specialist, a communicator, a teamcollaborator. a caring presence as well as a vigilant professional.Educating nurses on the demands of law' and high ethical standardswould ensure greater accountability, knowledge and personalcommitment in providing health care to individuals at every stageof their life. The increase in litigation as well as judicial andlegislati \ie intervention in most profession has made it essentialfor the nursing profession to be more knowledgeable in legalmatters and anxious as to the extent of their accountability to theirpatients. Knowledge of and adherence to the law is an imperativeprofessional responsibility.

III

DEDICATION

Love and appreciation to my husband, A;i;uland

children, Ha;iq, Hafid;, Harith, llhami and Aliyvafor lovingly tolerating my absences during the

progress ofmy book.

v

TABLE OF CASES

A

Abdul Ghafur bin 1\1ohd Ibrahim v Pengarah, Hospital Kepala Baws& Anor [2010] 6 MU 181 187

Ackworth v Kempe [1778J Doug!. 42 44AG v Guardian Newspapers (No 2) [1990] AC 109............................... 211Airedale NHS Trust v Bland [1993] 1 All ER 82 L

[1993 J AC 789 65, 92, 229, 233Alcock v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire [1992] 1 AC 310 129Alexandrou v Oxford [1993] 4 All ER 328............................................. 123Allan v :'-Jew :-'1ount Sinai Hospital (1980) 109 DLK (3d.) 634.......... 20Ard v. East Jefferson General Hospital 636 So.2d 1042 (LA, 1994)].... 263Asiah bte Kamsah v Dr Rajinder Singh & Ors 12002J 1 l'vlLJ 484....... 157Ashby \i White (1703) 2 Ld. Raym 938 9

B

Banks v. Goodfellow (1870) LR. 5 Q.B. 549......................................... 95Barbvay v South Wales Transport Co Ltd [1950J I All ER 392 202Barnett v Chelsea and Kensington Hospital Management Committee

[1968] 1 All ER 1068; [1969] 1 QB 428 117. 176Basely v Clarkson f1681] 3 Lev 37 29Battersby v Troman (1985) 37 SASR 524............................................... 89Bay ley v .\fanchester. Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Co r1873J

LR 8 CP 148.......................................................................................... 50Bird v Jones (1845) 7 QB 742................................................................. 24Blake \i Barnard (1840) 9 C & P 626...................................................... ISBlyth v Birmingham \Vaterworks Co. (1856) II Ex.7Sl 136Bolam v Friem Hospital Management Committee [1957]

1 WLR 582 111. 136. 141Bolitho v City & Hackney Health Authority [1993] 4 1\1ed LR 381 (CA);

[1997] 4 All ER 771 (HL) 103. 151, 188Bonnington Castings Ltd v Wardlaw [1956] AC 613 178Bradford Corporation v Pickles [1895] AC 587 9, 13Burke, R (on the application of) v General Medical Council & Ors

[2005] EWCA Civ 1003 237Burmah Oil Corporation v Lord Advocate [1965] AC 75....................... 28Burton v Islington Health Authority [1991] I QB 638:

[1991] 2 Med LR 133 134

Vll

Vlll Table oJCases

Bustos v Hair Transplant Pty Ltd 'JSWCA. 15 April 1997. unreportedBC 9701220 88

Byrne v Boadle (1863) 2 H & C 722 199, 201Byrne v Deane [1937] 1 KB 818 ".. 37

cC v S [1987] 1 All ER 1230.................................................................... 97C Sivanathan v Abdullah b Dato' Hj Abd Rahman [1984] I MU 62... 35Cattley v 51. Johns Ambulance Brigade (1988. QBD) unreported 118Causer v Stafford-Bell ACT Sc. 14th :'>lovember 1997, unreported.

Be 9706029 _.................................. 88CS Wu \' Wang Look Fung & Ors [1981] 1 1\1LJ 178 39Canterbury v Spence (1972) 464 F 2d 772 80. 89Caparo Industries pic v Dickman [1990] I All ER 568; [1990] 2 AC 605 124Capital & Counties Pic v Hampshire County Council [1997] QB 1004;

1997 2 All ER 865 __ 123Cattanach & Anor v 'v1elchior & Anor [2003J HCA 38; 199 ALR 131 85Cassidy v !\1inistry of Health [19Sl] I All ER 574 204Century Insurance Co v Nonhero Ireland Road Transpon Board

[1942] AC 509....................................................................................... 50Chan Phuat Khoon v Public Prosecutor [1962] I I'lLJ 127 ..... ........ 251Chappel v Hart [1998] 156 ALR 517 84, 85, 87,175Chatterton v Gerson [1980] 3 WLR 1003; [1981J QB 432; [1981]

1 All ER 257 27, 29, 78Chelliah ail Manickam & Anor v Kerajaan i'vlalaysia (1997) 2 AMR 1856 163Chester v Afshar [2002] 3 All ER 552 (CA); [2004] 4 All ER 587 (HL);

[2005] 1 AC 134 (HL) 79. 87Chin Keo\\l v Government of rvlalaysia [1967] 2 ~1LJ 4S 155, 163Chin Yoke Teng & Anor v \\lilliam Ui Ye ~1ein [20051 2 \JILJ

480 __ " 102, 135Chin 1'oon Hiap (Dr) v Ng Eu Khoon & 2 Ors [1997] 4 AMR 4204;

[1998] 1 l\-1U 57 185Christie v Davey [1893] 1 Ch 316 __ " 13Chuan Seng & Co Pineapple Factory & Anor {l962] MU 239 ,..... ... 51Clark v rvlacLennan [1983J 1 All ER 416 145, 181Cole v Turner (1704) 6 ~lod. Rep. 149 21Collins v Wilcock [1984] 3 All ER 374 14, 22Cope v Sharpe [1912] 1 KB 496 _.................................... 28Cook v Cook (1986) 162 CLR 376 ll5

D

Dunne \ National Maternity Hospital and Jackson [1989] IR 91.. 148D v East Berkshire Community Health NHS Trust; MAK v

Oewsbury Healthcare '-:HS Trust; RK v Oldham l\;HS Trust [2005]CKHL 23: [2005] 2 FLR 284; [2005] 2 AC 373 131

Tahre ojCase.1 IX

DeFreitas v O'Brien and Connol)' [199516 Med LR 108 146. 148De .'vlartell v ;-"''1erton and Sutton Health Authority [1993] QB 204.. ..... 134Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562 114.116.128DPP v K [1990] 1 WLR 1067.................................................................. 21Dr Soo Fook I\tun v Faa Fio I\a & Anor and another appeal [2001]

2 \ILJ 193 173. 174Dunning v Board of Governors of the Lnited Liverpool Hospitals

[1973] 2 All ER 454 224

E

E Hulton & Co v Jones [191OJ AC 20.................................................... 39Easson v London and North Eastern Rail way Company r1944]

2 KB 421 201East Suffolk Rivers Catchment Board v Kent [19401 4 All ER 527...... 123Elizabeth Chao v Government of l\Ialaysia r1970] 2 \oILJ 171.. 156. 206Ellis v Wallsend District Hospital (1989) NSWLR 553 . 88Emeh v Kensington and Chelsea Area Health Authority [1985]

QB 1012 197

F

F v R (1983) 33 SASR 189 81. 89. 154F v West Berkshire Health Authority or Re F (\lental Patient:

Sterilisation) [1989] 2 All ER 545, [1990] 2 AC 1 29, 93, 102Fairchild v Glenhaven Funeral Services Ltd & Ors [2002] 3 All ER 305 184Foo Fio l\a v Hospital Assunta & Anor [1999] 6 \ILJ 738 101. 172Foo Fio Na v Dr Soo Fook Mun & Anor [2002J I\tLl 129;

[2007] 1 \ILJ 593.. 79, 89. 127, 174Foong Yeen Keng v Assunta Hospital (M) Sdn Bhd & Anor [2006]

5 MLJ 94 158Freese v Lemmon (1973) 210 NW 2d 576 133Freeman v Home Office 11984] 1 All ER 1036.... 91Freeman v Home Office (~o 2) r1984] QS 524.... 27Frenchay Healthcare ]\;HS Trust v S [1994J 2 All ER 403: [1994]

I \VLR 601 236

G

Gascoine v Ian Sheridan & Co [1994] 5 .'vIed LR 437 150Gee v :'vIetropolitan Railway (1873) LR 8 QB 161 201Gordon v Wilson [1992] 3 Med LR 40 I. 164

H

Hague v Deputy Governor of Parkhurst Prison [1991 J 3 All ER 733 ... 25Hajgato v London Health Association [1982] 36 or (2d) 669................ 127Hargrave v Goldman (1963) 110 CLR 40................................................ 116

x Table ofCases

Hartman \' Shallowford Community Hospital 466 S.E. 2d 33(Ga. App.. 1995) 262

Haynes v Harwood [1935] I KB 146 127Hcasmans v Clarity Cleaning Co Ltd [1987] IRLR 286......................... 54Heaven v Pender (1883) II QBD 503...................................................... 113Henderson v Henry E Jenkins & Sons [1969] 3 All ER 756; [1970]

AC 282 198, 202Hepworth v Kerr [1995] 6 \led LR 139................. 194Herd v Weardale [1915] AC 67 30Herring v Boyle (l834) I Cr rvi & R 377 25Hill v Chief Constable of West 'r'orkshire [1988] 2 All ER 238 215Hills v Potter [1983] 3 All ER 716 148Hogan v Bentwick West Hartley Collieries Ltd [1949] 1 All ER 588... 196Home Office v Dorset Yacht Co Ltd [19701 AC 1004: [1970] 2 All

ER 294 122, 123. 127, 2J5Hong Chuan Lay v Dr Eddie Sao Fook Mun [1998] 5 CLJ 251 .... 101, 172Hor Sai Hong & Anor v University Hospital & Anor [2002] 5 MLJ

167 157Hucks v Cole [1993]4 Med LR 393 149,152Harrison Ltd. v J\IacDonald [1952] 1 TLR to1....................................... 46Hughes v Lord Advocate [1963] AC 837........... 193Hunter v Hanley [1955] SLT 213; [1955] SC 200 140. 144,161Huth v Huth [1915] 3 KB 32 40

I

Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd v Shatwell [1965] AC 656................. 49Inderjeet Singh a'i Piara Singh v J\Iazlan bin Jasman & Ors [1995]

2 .\ILJ 646 155, 161Ismail Abdullah (Dr) v Poh Hui Lin (Administrator for the Estate of

Tan Amoi @ Ong Ah Mauy. Deceased) [2009J 2 J\ILJ 599......... ..... 90

JJB Jeyaretnam v Goh Chok Tong [1985] I MLJ 334............................. 34Jarvis vs. St. Charles Medical Center 985 F2d 1419 (1986) 259Jablonski v United States of America (1983) 712 F 2d 391 214Jaensch v Coffey (1984) 155 CLR 549 liSJoel v. Morrison [1834] 6 C & P 501...................................................... 52Joyce v \1erton. Sulton and Wandsworth Health Authority [1996]

7 \Ied LR I 151, 190John Tan Char Yang v Lee Chay Tian [19711 I MLJ 240..................... 34

K

K Anandaraj all Krishnasamy v Data' Dr Vijayasingam & Anor[2005J 7 .\ILJ 120.... 225

Table a/Cases Xl

KS Sivanathan (Dr) \' Government of :\1alaysia & Anor [200 I]1 .\iILJ 3S 261

Kaiser v Suburban Transport System (1965) 398 P 2d _...................... 133Kamalam alp Raman & Ors \' Eastern Plantation Agency & Anor [1996J

4 1VILJ 674 165, 171Katharayan v \Tg Sup Moi [1987] 1 .\IILJ 246 260Kay's Tutor \' Ayrshire and Arran Health Board [1987} SLT 577 181Kent v Griffiths. Roberts and London Ambulance Services (2000]

2 WLR Il58; [2000] 2 Ali ER 474..................................................... 123Ketchum v Overlake Hospital \'1edical Center 60 Wash. App. 406. ....... 261Khorasanjian v Bush [1993] 3 WLR 476................................................. 16Kolesar v. Jeffries (1976) 9 O.R. (2d) 41 258Kow 'an Seng \' :\agamah & Ors f1982] I MLl 128........................... 157Kralj v :\kGrath [19861 Ic\ll ER 54 129

L

Lau Chee Kuan \' ChO\\ Soong Seong & Ors [1955] MLJ 21.............. 37Lee Kee Kong v Empat Nombor Ekor (N.S.) Sdn. Bhd. [1976]

2 .\tLJ 93 2Lee Kuan Yew v lB. Jeyaretnam (1971] I MU 281 38Lechemanavasagar all S Karuppiah \' Dr Thomas Yau Pak Chenk &

Anor 12008] I .\iILl 115........................................................................ 154Lewis v Daily Telegraph [1964] AC 234 36Liew Sin Kiong v Sharon M Paulraj (Dr) (1996] 2 AMR 1403.. 170Lipari v Scars Roebuck and Co. (1980) 497 F. Supp. 185 214Livingstone v Rawyards Coal Co (1880) 5 App. Cas. 25....................... 10L10yds v West Midland Gas Board (1971] 2 All ER 240....................... 200Logheliy Iron and Coal Co. v M' \lulian [1934J AC 1.. 112London Artists Ltd v Littler r1969J 2 QB 735 42Lowns v Woods (1995) 36 :--JS \VLR 344 (trial at first instance) 117. 122Lowns v Woods (1996) Ausr. Torts. Rep. 63, 15l (Court of Appea!).... lISLuk Kai Lam v Sim Ai Leng [1978] I :\ILJ 218 33Lindley v Rutter [1981] I QB 128 55

1\1

Mahon v Osborne [1939] 2 KB 14 138, 166. 20 I, 204Mariah bte ivtohamad \' Abdullah bin Daud [1990] I .\iILl 240............. 155Martin \' Shoppee (1828) 3 C. & P. 373.................................................. 15Maynard v West rvtidlands Regional Health Authority [1984} 1 WLR

634.......................................................................................................... 163:\1cGhee v Kational Coal Board [1973} I WLR 1................................... 179,\IcLoughlin v O'Brian [1983} I AC 410 129McKay y Bergstedt gOI P. 2d 617............................................................ 75I\leering v Graham White Aviation Company [1919] 122 LT 44 26

XII Table o/Cases

f\lcrscy Docks and Harbour Board v Coggins and Griffith [LiverpoolJLtd [1947] AC I.................................................................................... 48

l\liddleton v Fowler [1969] I Salk 282 44Mohd Sainuddin bin Ahmad v Consolidated Hotels Ltd [1989]

I MLJ 297 48Mohd Yeanikutty v Far East Truck Inc Manufacturing (Pte) Ltd

[1984] 2 \lILJ 91 50Monsoon v Tussauds [1894} I QB 671.................................................... 33l\lorgan v Odhams Press Ltd [197 Il I \VLR 1239 39Morris v Winsbury-White [1937J 4 All ER 494 201Munah bt Ali v Public Prosecutor [1958] I MLJ 159 247Murphy v Culhane [1977] Q.B. 94........................................................... 20Murray v !\-linistry of Defence [1988] 2 All ER 521 26MAK v Dewsbury Healthcare NHS Trust [2005] 2 FLR 284 131

N

Nash v Sheen [1953] CLY 3726 23Naxakis v Western General Hospital (1999) 73 ALJR 782..................... 167Newstead v London Express Ne\vspaper Ltd [1940J I KB 377 39Ng Chun Pui v Lee Chuen Tat [1988] RTR 298..................................... 202Ngiao Jong Nian v Lee Chan Foo & Anor f2011] I MLJ 565.............. 191Norfolk and NOf\vich Healthcare (NHS) Trust v W (1997) 34 BMLR

16............................................................................................................ 98Norwich Pharmacal Co. v Commisioners of Customs and Excise

[1974] .:"C 133 225

oOng Bak Hin v General Medical Council [1956] 1 MLJ 117 251Oropesa. The [1943] P 32 196

p

PP v Haji Kassim [1971J 2 \ILJ 115 221Page v Smith [1995} 2 All ER 736.......................................................... 129Paton v Trustees of British Advisory Services [1979]

QB 276 97. 102, 252Payremalu Veerappan v Dr Amarjeet Kaur & Ors [200 I] 3 \ILJ 725 206Penney. Palmer & Cannon v East Kent Health Authority [2000] Lloyd's

Law Report (Medical) 41...................................................................... 153Poland v Parr & Sons [1927J 1 KB 236................................................ 50Prendergast v Sam and Dee [1989] I \Ied LR 36.................................. 197Pretty; X and Y v The Netherlands (1985) 8 EHRR 235....................... 227Public Prosecutor v Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim & Anor [2001]

3 I\ILJ 193........... 220Public Prosecutor v Dr Nadason Kanalingam [1985] 2 MLJ 122..... 249

Table ofCase.~ Xlii

Q

Queensland v :\olan [lOO 1] Q.S.C 174 75

R

R v Adams r1957] Crim. Law Rev. 265 243R v Bateman (1925) 94 LJKB 791........................................................... 116R v Blaue [1975] 1 WLR 1411 198R v Constanza [1997] 2 Cr. App. Rep. 492............................. 17R v Cox [1992] 12 B.\1LR 38.................................................................. 229R v Donovan [1934J 2 KB 498 229R v. Hancock [1986] A.C. 455 242R v Instan [1893] I QB 453..................................................................... 62R v Ireland [1997] 4 AU ER 225 16, 17R v. Maloney [1985] A.C. 90s 242R v Meade and Belt (1823) I Lew CC 184............................................ 16R v Parmenter [1992] 1 AC 699 __ .. __ 16R v St George (1840) C & P 483 18R v Wilson (1955] I \VLR 493..................................................... 17R v Woolin [J 999] I A.C. 82 242R (Pretty) v Director Of Public Prosecutions (Secretary Of State For

The Home Department Intervening) f200 1J CKHL 61 227R Murugan v The Straits Times Press [1984] 2 \1LJ 10........................ 38R v Crozier (1990) The Independent, II .\lay......................................... 218R v Shipman, The Times. Feb I, 2000. unreported................................. 229Ratcliffe v Plymouth and Torbay Health Authority [1998] Lloyd's Rep

f\led 168 205Re A (Mental Patient: Sterilisation) 12000] I FLR 549.......................... 103Re S (Adult: Refusal of .\1edical Treatment) [1992] 4 All ER 671 ....... 98Re JT........................................................................................................... 94Re T (An Adult: .\ledicat Treatment) [1992] 2 FLR 861........................ 93Re F (Mental Patient: Sterilisation) [1990] 2 AC 1................................. 92Re A (Children) (Conjoined Twins: Surgical Separation) [2001]

2 WLR 480: [2000] 4 All ER 961 71. 75Re B [1981] 1 WLR 421.. 238Re C (Adult: Refusal of \1edical Treatment) [1994] I All ER 819;

[1994] 1 WLR 290................................................................................ 94Re C (A MinOr) [1989] All ER 782......................................................... 238Re C (A Minor) (Evidence: Confidential Information) (1991) 7 BMLR

138 216Re J (A !\linor) (Wardship: \1edical Treatment) [1990] 3 All ER

930 237. 238Re MB (An Adult: \ledical Treatment) [1997] 2 FLR 426 93, 94, 98Re R (Adult: \1edical Treatment) [1996] 2 FLR 99 238Re S (Sterilisation: Patient's Besl Interests) [2000J 2 FLR 389............. 103

XIV Table ofCases

Re T (Adult: Refusal of Medical Treatment) [1992] 3 WLR 782;[1992] 4 All ER 649 91. 97

Read v Coker (1853) 13 C.B. 850............................................................ 15Ready rVlixed Concrete (South East) Ltd v Minister of Pensions and

\lational Insurance [1968] 2 QB 497................................................... 47Re Polemnis [1921] 3 KB 560 192Reibl V Hughes [1980] 2 SCR 880............................. 79Rigby v Chief Constable of :\Iorthamptonshire [1985] 2 All ER 985.... 28Robinson v Balmain Ferry Co Ltd [1910] AC 295........ 30Roe v \linister of Health [1954] 2 QB 66 139. 144, 155Rogers v Whitaker (1992) 175 CLR 479: (1992) 109 ALR 625;

(1992) 67 ALJR 47: [1993] 4 Med LR 79 79.80,84............................................................................... 87. 88. 89. 154. 159. 161

Rose v. Plenty [19761 1 WLR 141 52Rosenberg v Percival (2001) 178 ALR 577; (2001) 205 CLR 434........ 82.

.............................................................................................................. 83. 88Rylands v Fletcher (1868) LR 3 HL 330................................................. 14RK v Oldham :\IHS Trust [2005] 2 AC 373 131

S

Schloendorff v Society of :\lew York Hospital (1914) 105 :\I.E. 92 79, 92Scott v London and 5t Katherine Docks (l865} 3 H&C 596 199,200Scott v Shepherd (1773) 2 W B1 892...................................................... 31Shaw V Vauxhall IVlotors Ltd [1974] I WLR 1035 224Sidaway v Bethlem Royal Hospital GO\ernors 11985] I All ER

643: [1985] 2 WLR 480 28.59.80.149, 159.171Sim v Stretch [1936] 52 TLR 669............................................................ 32Sion v Hampstead Health Authority (1994) 5 \lcd LR 170................... 130Smith v Leech Brain & Co Ltd [1962J 2 QB 405 195Smith v Stages [1989] AC 928. 535t George's Healthcare KHS Trust v S [1998] 3 All ER 673 100Stansbie v Troman [1948] I All ER 599................................ 127State Govt of Perak v .rv1 uniandy [1986] 1 \1 LJ 490.............................. 52Staveley Iron and Chemical Co. Ltd. v Jones [1956] AC 627.............. 49Stephen v i\i1yers (1830) 4 C & P 349 15, 18. 19Stevenson, Jordan and Harrison Ltd v r\lacDonald [1952] 1 TLR

101 46Sutherland Shire Council v Heyman (1985) 157 CLR 424 115Storey v Ashton [1869] LR 4 QB 476..................................................... 53Sheridan v Boots Co. Ltd (1980) Q.B.D.. unreported 193Swamy v \latthews [1967] 1 MLJ 142: [1968] I ,MLJ 138 ISS. 164Syed Hussin Ali v 5yarikat Percetakan tJtusan Melayu & Anor [1973}

2 rvlLJ 56..... 38

Tab/eo/Cases xv

T

Tai v Saxon WArC, 8 February 1996, unreported, BC 9600521 86Tan Ah Kau v Government of Malaysia [19971 2 AMR 1382............... 10 ITan Eng Siew & Anor v Dr Jagjit Singh Sidhu & Anor [2006]

I MLJ 57 166Tarasoff v Regents of the University of California (1976) 551 P ld 334 214Taylor v Somerset Health Authority (1993) 4 Med LR 34..................... 130Theaker v Richardson [1962] I All ER 229............................................ 40Thomas v National Union of Mineworkers (South Wales Area) [1985]

2 All ER I 19Thoma" v Quartermaine (1887) 18 QRO 685.......................................... 113Tiong Pik Hong v Wong Siew Gieu r1964] 30 MU lSI....................... 23Tolley v JS & Sons Ltd [19311 AC 333........................................ 38Tredget and Tredget v Bexley Health Authority (1994) 5 Med LR

148 130Trust A and Trust R v H (An Adult Patient) [2006] EWHC 1230 100. 101Trust A and another v V and another [2005] All ER (D) 198 236Tuberville v Savage [1669] I Mod Rep 3 17Twine v Bean's Express Ltd. [1946] 62 TLR 458................................... 51The Council of The Shire of Sutherland Council v Heyman (1985)

157 CLR 424 119

uUdhaya Kumar all Karuppusamy & Anor v Penguasa Hospital Daerah

Pontian & Ors 12004] 2 MLJ 661........................................................ 165

wW v Egdell [1990] I All ER 835 217, 220W v Mcah {I986] I All E.R. 935........................................................... 20W Elphinstone v Lee Lang San [1938] MU Rep 130............................ 23Wagon Mound (No I) 11961 J AC 388..................................................... 192Ward v Tesco Stores Ltd [1976] I WLR 810 202Watt v Rama [1972] VR 353 (FC) :............................................. 134Wenden v Trikha (1993) 14 CCLT. 9(2d) 225 259Whitehouse v Jordan [19801 I All ER 650; 11981] 1 WLR 246;

[1981] I All ER 267 143, 161. 166Wilsher v Essex Area Health Authority [19881 I All ER 871;

[1988] 2 WLR 557 183Wilson v Pringle [1987] QB 237; [19861 2 All ER 440 21,22,92Wong Choon Mei & Anor v Dr Kuldeep Singh & Anor II 9135J

2 MIJ 373 206

xvi Table ofCases

Wong Wai Ping (Dr) & Anor v Wong Lin Sing & Ors [19991 6 CU23 -. 145

Wyong Shire Council v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40 82Walker v Eli Lilly & Co (1986) 136 New U 608.................................. 224

xX v Pal (1991) 23 NSWLR 26 134X v Y [19881 2 All ER 648 213

y

Yewens v Noakes r18801 6 QBD 530 45

TABLE OF STATUTES

Australia

I\tedical Practitioners Act 1938 (New South Wales) 120. 128

United Kingdom

Access to Medical Reports Act 1988...................................... 122Access to Health Records Act 1990 222. 224Data Protection Act 1984........................................................................... 222Defamation Act 1952...... 32Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978................................. 27Rules of Supreme Court 1965. Order 24 Rule 7/\. 224Supreme Court Act 1981 224

l'nited States

Colorado Good Samaritan Act 1997 127Florida Good Samaritan Act 2000 126

!\Iala~:sia

Child Act 200 I (Act 611) 104, lOS. 106. 107, I 08Civil Law Act 1956 (Act 67) 2, 4. 32, 54Courts of Judicature Act 1964 (Act 91) SCriminal Procedure Code (Act 593).......................................................... 212Defamation Act 1957 (Act 286) 32. 33. 34, 41. 42. 43, 44Evidence Act 1950 (Act 56) 220Federal Constitution............ 5\tedical Act 1971 (Act 50) 247,248Mental Health Act 2001 (Act 615) 94. 95, 96, 97Midwives Act 1966 (Revised 1990) (Act 436) 2Nurses Act 1950 (R",vised 1969) (Act 14) 2,3Penal Code (Revised 1997) (Act 574) 35, 230. 246Penal Cod", (Amendment! Act 1989 (Act A727). 230. 246Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709) 223Poisons Act 1952 (Act 366) 212Police Act 1967 (Act 344)......................................................................... lOSPrevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) 212Rules of the High Court 1980 Order 24 rule I 225

xvii

AC

ALJR

All ER

ALR

Ar...lR

Aust. Torts. R~p.

CA

Cal 3d

Cal Rep

Ch

CLl

CLR

DLR

Ed

edit.

et. af

etc

F 2d

F Supp

HL

I.e.

Ibid

fd

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

Appeal Cases

Australian Law Journal R~P011s 1958 ­

All England Law Reports

Australian Law Rep0l1s

All ~\Ialaysian Reports

Australian Torts Reports

Court ofAppeal

California Reports Third Series

California Supreme Court Reports 1850­

Chancery (Law Reports)

Current Law Journal

Commonwealth Law Reports

Dominion Law Reports

Edition

editor

(et alia): and others

(et cetera): and so forth

Federal Report~r. Second Series (USA) 1924­

Federal Supplement (CSA) 1932-

House of Lords

that is

(ibideln): in the same place

(idem): the same

XIX

XX List ofAbbreriatiollJ

IR Irish Reports 1894-

Kan Kansas Supreme Court Reports 1862-

LJ Lord Justice

LJKB King's Bench (Law Journal Reports) New Series1831-1946

~1ed LR

JvlLJ

n.d.

NE92

:\ISW

]\'SWLR

NW

NW2d

NY

;-JZ

P2d

p.

pbuh

QB

QBD

RI

SASR

SC

SJ

SLT

S. \1'.[.

UK

US

Medical Law Reports

Malayan Law Journal

no date

I'\orth Western Reporter (CSA)

~ e\\' South Wales

New South Wales Law Reports

Korth Western Reporter

:"Jorth Western Reporter. Second Series

Ne'.\' York

New Zealand

Pacific Reporter. Second Series

Pacific Reporter

Peace be upon him

Queens Bench (Law Reports)

Queens Bench Division (La\'.· Reports)

Rhode Island Supreme Court Reports

South Australian State Reports 1971

Session Cases (Scotland)

Solicitors Journal

Scots Law Times

Subhanahu \Va Ta 'ala

United Kingdom

United States

(versus): against (in legal terms)

Vol

VR

Wash

WLR

List ofAbbreviations xxi

Volume

Victorian Reports (Australia) 1957

Washington

Weekly Law Reports

COT'\TENTS

Page

Fore"vord , ..

Preface 111

Dedication v

Table of('ases......................................................................... Vll

Table ofStatutes.............................................. ........................ XVll

List ofAbbreviations XIX

Contents XXIII

CHAPTER 1

CHALLENGES To THE NllRSING PROFESSION

1.0 Introduction .

1.1 The Nursing Profession - Changes and Challenges .

1.2 Sources of Malaysian Law............. 3

1.3 Conclusion..... 5

CHAPTER 2

TORTlOl'S ACTS RELATI:'\G To THE

NCRSING PROFESSIO:'II

2.0 Introduction.................... 7

2.1 Protected interests 7

2.2 Elements of a tort. 8

2.3 Tort and other Legal subjects..... 9

XXlll

XXIV Coflfents

Page

2.4 Aims ofthe Law of Torts 10

2.5 Tort and the requirement offault 12

2.6 Examples of Selected Torts Relevant to the Nursing Profession 14

2.6.1 Trespass to Person 14

2.6.2 Defamation........ 31

2.6.3 Vicarious Liability........................................................ 44

2.7 Conclusion 55

CHAPTER 3

NllRSING ETHICS

3.0 Introduction 57

3.1 Definition of Ethics 60

3.2 Medical Ethics........ 60

3.3 The Concept of Morality......................................................... 62

3.4 Ethical Theories 62

3.5 Ethical Principles 64

3.6 Conflict between medical paternalism and patient autonomy 67

3.7 The Doctrine of Sanctity of Life and Quality of Life 68

3.8 The Conflict between Sanctity of Life and Quality of Life:Which will prevail in the Court of Law'! 71

3.9 Conclusion 76

Contents xx v

CHAPTER 4

PROCURIl'lG LEGALLY VALID CO~SEl'lTAl'lD

RIGHT To REFl;SE MEDICAL TREATME~T

Page

4.0 Introduction 77

4.1 Types of Consent..... 77

4.2 Elements to a Legally Valid Consent 78

4.2.1 Consent must be real I Sufficient information to be given 78

4.2.1.1 The Doctrine ofinformed ConsenL................. 79

4.2.1.2 The Law of Informed Consent in Malaysia 79

4.2.1.3 The Adoption of the Reasonable Prudent PatientTest in Australia... 80

4.2.2 Consent must be voluntary, given through own free will 91

4.2.3 Consent must be given by patient who is legallycompetent..................................................................... 92

4.2.3.1 The criteria for assessing capacity.................... 93

4.2.3.2 The problem with pregnant women and therights of the fetus 97

4.2.3.3 Treatment in absence of capacity..................... 102

4.2.3.4 Anticipatory refusals \vhile competent............. 103

4.2.3.5 Treating children and the issue of consent.. 104

4.3 Conclusion 108

CHAPTERS

THE LAW RELATIl\G To MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

5.0 Introduction III

5.1 Definition of "negligence" 112

5.2 Principal Elements of 1\"egligence 112

5.2-1 Duty of Care 112

5.2.1.1 Duty to Emergency Patients 117

XXVI Conlelll"

Page

5.2.1.2 Duty to third parties 128

5.2.2 The Standard of Care 136

5.2.2.1 The Bolam Principle 136

5.2.2.2 The Background of the Bolam Principle 138

5.2.2.3 The Essential Elements under the BolamPrinciple...... 142

5.2.2.4 The Position of Bolam Principle within\Ialavsian Cases 155

5.2.3 Causation...................................................................... 175

5.2.4 Res Ipsa Loquitor 198

5.3 Conclusion 207

CHAPTER 6

RESPECTING PRIVACY AI\D Jl'STIFlCATIO~SFOR

BREACHI:\G COI\FIDEI\TlALITY

6.0 Introduction 209

6.1 Definition of confidentiality.... 209

6.2 JlIstifications for confidentiality................ 21 ()

6.3 The Duty of rVledical Confidentiality......... 21 ()

6.4 JlIstifications for breaching confidentiality............................. 212

6.5 Limitedjudicial cases in .\lalaysia........................................... 220

6.6 Access to Jlvledical Records................... 221

6.7 Discoverv............ 223

6.8 Conclusion .. 226

ColI/eJII.\ xx VII

CHAPTER 7

THE RIGHTS A:'ojD NEEDS 01; TER\lI:'ojALLY

ILL PATlJ::yrS

Page

7.0 Introduction 227

7.1 Definition................................................................................ 227

7.2 Types of euthanasia 228

7.3 Legal Position ofActi ve Euthanasia .

7.4 Legal Position of Passive Euthanasia .

229

7.) The Doctrine of Double Effect 242

7.6 Conclusion 244

CHAPTER 8

TERl\H~ATl1'iG PRE(;"IA"ICY A:'ojD RIGHTS

OF THE PREW'iAl'iT \VOtl-'IEl'i

8.0 Introduction. 245

8.1 Definition................................................................................ 245

8.2 Types of Abortion.................................................................... 246

8.3 Ethical codes on abortion 246

8.4 The Law relating to Abortion in J\.hlaysia 246

8.5 The Rights of the father to prevent an abortion 252

8.6 Conclusion...... 253

CHAPTER 9

NURSII\(; DOCT\lE"ITATIO"l

9.0 Introduction 255

9.1 Definition............................ 255

9.2 Reasons for documentation 255

9.3 Effect of Poor Documentation 257

xxviii Contents

Page

9.4 Problems caused by Abbreviations.......................................... 257

9.5 Selected case la"'·..................................................................... 258

9.6 Conclusion - Guiding Principles for Good Documentation..... 264

CHAPTER 10

ISLAMIC MEDICAL LAW A'JD ETHICS

10.0 Introduction 267

10.1 Sources ofIslamic \ledical Law and Ethics 267

10.2 Maqasid al Shari'ah (The purposes of the law) 270

10.3 Qawa 'id Shariah (Legal maxims) 270

10.4 Classification of Hukm (Legal Ruling) 270

10.5 The Sanctity of Life. 271

10.6 Islamic Perspel,tives in Confidentiality................................. 272

10.7 Medical Negligence 273

10.7.1 Characteristics of a !vluslim doctor 274

10.7.2 The Responsibility of the Medical Profession............ 274

10.7.3 The Requirements for Medical Treatment.................. 276

10.7.4 Conditions necessary to establish doctor's liability.... 277

10.7.5 Methods of proving doctor's liability......................... 279

10.8 Compensation 281

10.9 Application ofIslamic Law to Medical Issues 282

10.10 Conclusion 293

Contents XXIX

APPENDIX

SELECTED LAWS OF MALAYSIA

PageAppendix A:

Nursing Board Malaysia - Code of Professional Conduct forNurses (First Edition April 1998) 295

AppendixB:

Nurses Act 1950 (Revised 1969) 30 I

Nurses Registration Regulations 1985........... 307

Midwives Act 1966 (Revised 1990)............................................. 333

Chapter 1

CHALLENGES To THE NURSING PROFESSION

1.0 Introduction

Fonning the "heart"' of medical and health services, nursesprovide a comforting human interface between patients andthe hospitaL and between communities and the healthcaresystem. The ever changing health environment has requirednurses to provide care in an extended role to complementservices rendered by other health professionals. These extendedroles have made them become more involved in practices thatmay have profound legal consequences for which they maybe held individually responsible. Consequently, nurses havebecome increasingly aware of the legal and ethical issues thathave impacted on their practice and have also recognizedthe importance of a solid grounding in legal and ethicalprinciples. By having sound knowledge of their legal andethical responsibilities, they are able to function independentlyin many healthcare roles and make complex decisions aboutwhat is the best course of patient care.

1.1 The Nursing Profession - Changes and Challenges

In Malaysia. nurses represent the largest workforce in thehealthcare sector. I They are the main providers of healthcare,particularly in rural and remote areas. The nursing workforce hasnow increased to around 60,000, giving an average of about 2.25per 1,000 population. 2 At the moment, there are 45 government

Ten Lin Dee. 'The help battalion", Star Special. \'1inistry of Health SP5. Tuesday 17October 2006.Relevant data procured from speech by YR Dato' Dr Chua Soi Lek, ex-"'Iinister of HealIhMalaysia. at the 11 th Joinl Malaysia-Singapore Nursing Conference & International "ursingConference. Hotel Magellan Sutera Harbour. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. 9 March 2006.