This introductory text on health care law covers both institutional and substantive aspects of health care law and practice and is aimed at students of law, medicine, health service management and nursing. It provides a readable and accessible outline of the law governing health care, avoiding unnecessary legal jargon. The book may be used both as a manual for practical reference and as the basis of a course of study. It tackles topical and controversial subjects such as abortion, euthanasia, malpractice litigation, confidentiality, and the changing NHS - all usually dealt with in their relation to values and ethics - and examines them in pragmatic terms, highlighting common practical problems. Further reading referred to so that readers can follow up controversial areas. This book is intended for students of medical law and from the health care professions; health service managers and trained health care professionals; scholars, teachers and students of law and ethics at all levels.