Chief Medical Officers Report Responses

The Government published on 24 July a summary of the responses to its consultation on Bearing good witness: proposals for reforming the delivery of medical expert evidence in family law cases. The consultation began in October 2006 and closed in February 2007 (see January [2007] Fam Law 62). A total of 135 responses were received and over 60 percent of those who expressed a view as to whether the proposals would help to tackle the issues of quality and supply of medical expert witnesses in the family courts were in favour of the general thrust of the Chief Medical Officers report. Almost all of the national level stakeholder organisations supported the main proposals which were to establish teams within NHS trusts to provide expert evidence to the family courts, and to commission the service through a public-sector organisation. However, around half of the healthcare professionals who responded as individuals had reservations. For further information see September [2007] Fam Law. To view the consultation paper and responses go to http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_4140132.