What principle was established in Donoghue v Stephenson's case?

The principle established in the landmark case of Donoghue v Stephenson is the "neighbour principle," which is foundational in the context of establishing a duty of care. This case marked a significant development in tort law, particularly the law of negligence, by articulating the idea that individuals owe a duty of care to those who might be directly affected by their actions or omissions.

The "neighbour principle" posits that one must take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions that could foreseeably injure one's neighbour. In this case, the neighbour was defined not just as a physical person living nearby but as anyone who might be affected by one’s conduct. The case involved a woman who became ill after consuming a ginger beer containing a decomposed snail, highlighting the manufacturers' responsibility to ensure their products are safe for consumers. This principle has since been widely applied in determining negligence and the duty of care across various contexts, including health law.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of healthcare and responsibility that are not directly tied to the core holding of Donoghue v Stephenson. Mixing personal interests with professional roles, the importance of patient confidentiality, and health professionals' liability in malpractice all represent important legal concepts and responsibilities within healthcare settings, but