Bolam test

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Bolam test (boh-lăm) n. in cases of alleged negligence involving medical treatment, a test used to determine the standard of care owed to a patient by doctors. The case Bolam v Friern Hospital Management Committee (1957) 1 WLR 583 established that there can be no breach in the duty of care so long as the doctor acted in accordance with a responsible body of medical opinion. Subsequent cases have challenged this test, requiring the doctor to behave ‘reasonably’ or ‘logically’ regardless of the body of medical opinion.

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