Tough decisions were on the agenda for Law School Preparation students on Thursday, as they focused on the rules and processes of Medical Law. Students probed their own assumptions and beliefs about the role of law in medicine, and were particularly interested in discussing the ethical dilemmas caused by scarce resources and religious custom.

One student brought up the ongoing Charlie Gard case as an example of the difficult judgements that need to be made by law within a context of scarcity in the National Health Service: despite petition to the Supreme Court to secure continued life-support for their terminally-ill 11-month old baby, Charlie’s parents have now to accept Great Ormond Street Hospital’s decision to withdraw treatment and therefore end a life that has been spent entirely in a hospital bed. Students also used lesson time to prepare for the mock trial that will mark the culmination of their studies with us these past two weeks.

When books had been closed and pens capped for the day, students boarded the coach to London, where a truly magical treat lay in store. After the obligatory session of telephone box selfies and red bus-spotting, students assembled outside the Apollo Victoria Theatre, where Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz was about to begin. The musical was stunning, and students were impressed by the skill of the actors and singers as much as they were by the nuanced retelling of the classic novel and fantasy film. There were some tears when the happy ending arrived after rather trying times, and students emerged from the theatre in contented reverie, some humming or singing a few of their favoured tunes.