Law, Legitimacy and the Rationing of Health Care: A Contextual and Comparative Perspective (Cambridge Law, Medicine and Ethics, Series Number 6) - Softcover

Syrett, Keith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 052167445X ISBN 13: 9780521674454

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2007

Synopsis

Dr Keith Syrett argues for a reappraisal of the role of public law adjudication in questions of healthcare rationing. As governments worldwide turn to explicit rationing strategies to manage the mismatch between demand for and supply of health services and treatments, disappointed patients and the public have sought to contest the moral authority of bodies making rationing decisions. This has led to the growing involvement of law in this field of public policy. The author argues that, rather than bemoaning this development, those working within the health policy community should recognise the points of confluence between the principles and purposes of public law and the proposals which have been made to address rationing's 'legitimacy problem'. Drawing upon jurisprudence from England, Canada and South Africa, the book evaluates the capacity of courts to establish the conditions for a process of public deliberation from which legitimacy for healthcare rationing may be derived.

About this title

Book Description:

Dr Syrett argues that court involvement in disputes over the rationing of healthcare resources may be viewed more positively than has traditionally been the case. English, Canadian and South African cases are analysed to illustrate how courts may contribute to the attainment of legitimacy in this field.

About the Author:

Dr Keith Syrett is a Solicitor and Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Bristol.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 052167445X
• ISBN 13: 9780521674454
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 266