‘You May Kiss the Bride,But You May Not Open Your Mouth When You Do So’: Policies Concerning Sex,Marriage and Relationships in English Forensic Psychiatric Facilities

In 1996, the Royal College of Psychiatrists recommended that all psychiatric facilities in the UK develop policies concerning sexuality and sexual expression for persons contained in those facilities. This paper analyses the prevalence and content of such policies in English forensic psychiatric facilities. While the College recommends an individualised approach to sexual and emotional relationships, most hospitals in fact either prohibit or actively discourage such expression as a matter of policy. The paper considers the advantages and disadvantages of that approach. The paper also considers the legal issues surrounding these policies, and in particular the legal authority for governing the sexual and emotional expression of hospital residents and the relevant human rights implications.     

Another ‘special relationship’: The British‐Swiss early cold war coordination of defence (1947–53)

Switzerland's participation in the highly political Marshall Plan was considered the utmost commitment the West could expect from this neutral country during the unfolding Cold War. In military matters, though, the national doctrine seemed to be applied most rigidly. Indeed, the Swiss refrained from establishing substantial contacts with their direct neighbours as well as with the chief sponsors of European security. Neutrality, however, did not prevent the Swiss from entertaining uniquely British‐oriented military relations, that culminated during the Korean war in a high degree of coordination of defence, wherein Field‐Marshal Montgomery played a crucial mediatory role.     

Another 'special relationship': The British-Swiss early cold war coordination of defence (1947-53)

Switzerland's participation in the highly political Marshall Plan was considered the utmost commitment the West could expect from this neutral country during the unfolding Cold War. In military matters, though, the national doctrine seemed to be applied most rigidly. Indeed, the Swiss refrained from establishing substantial contacts with their direct neighbours as well as with the chief sponsors of European security. Neutrality, however, did not prevent the Swiss from entertaining uniquely British-oriented military relations, that culminated during the Korean war in a high degree of coordination of defence, wherein Field-Marshal Montgomery played a crucial mediatory role.     

mHealth and data protection – the letter and the spirit of consent legal requirements

In this article, the role of consent is discussed in the framework of fundamental rights and in the context of mobile health technologies (mHealth), such as smart phones, mobile phones or tablet/palm-held computing devices to provide healthcare. The authors surmise how, in practice, although there will be more emphasis on informed consent formally, there will be less space for genuine individual consent. This betrays a focus more on the letter of consent rules in data protection than their spirit. This risks reducing consent to a tick box operation in a manner analogous to consumer transactions, something manifestly unsuitable for consent, even if only in informational terms, during medical procedures.