An MP in England has published a Private Members’ Bill that calls for greater fairness for bereaved people and victims of psychiatric harm in England and Wales.

The UK Government’s Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism (SARAH) Bill has recently received Royal Assent and has now become law.

A new partnership has been launched that aims to improve safety on Scotland’s farms and crofts and reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries that occur.

The Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil has written a letter to the Chairman of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) seeking an urgent meeting to discuss on-going concerns over the use of transvaginal mesh implants.

Personal injury victims who suffered brain damage as a result of their accident should ensure they seek the advice of a specialist personal injury solicitor who is experienced in the specific challenges their claims can bring, claims the Law Society of England and Wales.

Proposed new rules on how old insurance records are searched are a “missed opportunity” to ensure the industry honours its responsibility to sick and dying workers.

Truro Crown court has heard that an elderly man with dementia was able to wander into another resident's room at his nursing home and fall to his death from a window. Reginald Gibbings, 89, fell 3.6 metres from the room in July 2008.

Plans to introduce legislation to protect people from legal action if they apologise for causing injury are “pointless and misguided” lawyers have said.

InjuriesBoard.ie has released details of its work in the first six months of 2012. Data for the period shows a gradual but consistent increase (4.1%) in claims volumes compared to the same period in 2011. The period also saw the emergence of issue-specific claims linked to Thalidomide and De Puy hip replacements.

National estimates of death following general surgery have been too optimistic, according to the first large-scale study to explore surgical outcomes across Europe, led by Queen Mary, University of London.

Campaigners have welcomed a decision by the Government to rethink its proposals to cut compensation payments for victims of crime.

An assault victim has spoken out in support of a not-for-profit group’s campaign against Government plans to slash compensation payments for victims of crime.

The lowest ever recorded figures for road casualties in Scotland have been published, according to Minister for Transport Keith Brown.

The latest figures for 2011 show road casualties are 4% lower than in 2010, and include an 11% drop in fatalities over the same period.

Mr Brown said:

“We in the Scottish Government are very aware of the tragic and personal cost of every fatality on our roads.  I am therefore encouraged by the very latest data which shows total reported road casualties are now at their lowest level since records began. The number of casualties last year dropped by 575 - a fall of 4% on 2010 figures. There has also been a drop of 5% on those seriously injured and a further reduction of 11% on fatalities.

“My deepest sympathies are of course with all of those who have been affected by incidents on our roads and we accept one death is simply one too many. That is why we are doing everything we can to reduce the numbers of casualties further.”

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/Road-casualties-Scotland-lowest-figures

A review into the PiP breast implant scandal has found that, although the regulator acted appropriately and followed scientific and clinical advice, there is room for improvement and serious lessons must be learned.