Bolam & Bolitho
What it means
The standard of care for DIAGNOSIS/TREATMENT: a doctor is not negligent if they acted in accordance with a responsible body of medical opinion (BOLAM) — but that opinion must also withstand logical scrutiny / be reasonable (BOLITHO). Together they set the 'breach of duty' standard in negligence. (Note: for CONSENT, Montgomery replaced Bolam with a patient-centred standard.)
Worked example
A treatment choice supported by a respectable, logically defensible body of specialists is not negligent even if others would have done differently.
In the exam
In a negligence claim about a treatment decision, the court asks whether a responsible body of doctors would have done the same and whether that view is logically defensible.
What settles it
Bolam/Bolitho = standard for treatment/diagnosis; MONTGOMERY = standard for consent/disclosure (what the patient would want to know).
Classically confused with
Montgomery & material risk
Source: Bolam 1957; Bolitho 1997