Legislation

Data Protection Act 1998

The Data Protection Act 1998 defines UK law on the processing of data on identifiable living people. It is the main piece of legislation that governs the protection of personal data in the UK. For more information visit the Information Commissioner's Office's website which has more guidance on the act.

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 , also referred to as HASAW or HSW, is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in the UK. This link will take you to the HSE's webpage about the Act.

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995

The Disability Discrimination Act is a piece of legislation that promotes civil rights for disabled people and protects disabled people from discrimination. This link will take you to the directgov resources on the DDA.

The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006

The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 cover all employees and workers of any age, protecting them from age discrimination including partners of firms, contract workers and anyone in vocational training.

Race discrimination

This link will take you to Acas's webpage on race discrimination regulations.

Sex discrimination

This link will take you to Acas's webpage on sex discrimination regulations.

The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations 2004

This link will take you to Regulations on the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) website.

Mental Capacity Act 2005

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides a comprehensive framework for decision-making on behalf of adults aged 16 and over who lack capacity to make decisions on their own behalf. This BMA guidance note sets out the main features of the Act in so far as it relates to decisions about medical treatment. Further guidance is available from the Department of Health and in the Mental Capacity Act's Code of Practice.

Freedom of Information Act 2000

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires that all public bodies make available, with certain exceptions, information that is produced and held by them to members of the public if requested. Within the health sector, the Act not only covers the Department of Health and NHS Trusts but also independent medical practitioners, who under the Act are each considered as being a public body. Many of the independent medical practitioners who are required to adopt a publication scheme are GPs.

The Corporate Manslaughter Act

This guidance from 2008 has been produced to alert GPs to the details of the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007, which came into effect on 6 April 2008 and applies to organisations, including NHS bodies across the UK.