When starting in private practice, how you are structured for tax purposes is an extremely important decision. Picking the most appropriate trading structure for your individual circumstances will ensure you are tax efficient and maximise the return on your hard efforts. This article looks at the more common trade structures adopted for private work.

One of the main factors to consider when you start out in private practice is that you are running a business. It sounds obvious, but with little or no financial training it is easy to fall into the trap of not running your private practice like a business, and this almost always leads to financial loss. The second article in this series looks at the practical steps required to run your private practice as a business.

Not only is it important to be well equipped to deal with the challenges and pitfalls that might arise unexpectedly, but also to be prepared to speak to the press or deal with media enquiries following a patient’s treatment.

Dr Gabrielle Pendlebury, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, advises on how best to manage a scenario where a patient doesn’t want to know the risks

High profile cases have put the spotlight on the consent process and clinicians are increasingly aware of the risks; however, Medical Protection data shows a number of claims alleging that a clinician failed to explain alternative treatment options. Dr Emma Green, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, looks at the case law surrounding therapeutic options, GMC guidance on consent, and how these impact on the information provided to patients during the consent process.

Time to refresh yourself on the eight core pillars of person-centred care.

A consultant in England contacted the Medical Protection advice line after she found a human skeleton in her loft while in the process of moving house.

Here are some frequently asked questions about making the big move into private practice, answered by Medicolegal Consultant, Dr Karen Ellison.

Edward Leigh of The Center for Healthcare Communication argues that good communication with your patients has the potential to lower the chance of malpractice claims - even when mistakes are made.

The new guidance for firearms licensing, including arrangements for medical checks for firearm certificates, came into effect in November last year in England and Wales, and on 31 January this year in Scotland. Ceylan Simsek, Case Manager, and Dr Karen Ellison, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, discuss the key considerations for GPs

Dr Beth Walker, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, analyses a recent case and looks at what it means for clinicians

Medical Protection is proud to support the excellent work of a not-for-profit organisation in the north-west of England. Find out about REACHE North West and its work to help refugee and asylum-seeking healthcare professionals get ready for the NHS

Dr Gabrielle Pendlebury, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, looks at this increasingly common dilemma

From 1 April 2022, vaccinations against COVID-19 will be mandatory for patient-facing health and care staff in England. Dr Heidi Mounsey, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, takes a closer look at what these changes mean

It is never too early to be thinking of whether you will undertake private work when you have secured your substantive consultant post. This is the first in a six-part guide to starting out in private practice to help you to hit the ground running when the time comes.

Medical Protection speaks to Clara Munro, one of the creators and presenters of Doctor Informed, an upcoming podcast from The BMJ that aims to keep hospital doctors equipped with the skills to develop their daily practice.

Medical Protection is seeing increasing numbers of queries from GP practices faced with requests for CCTV footage to be disclosed as part of subject access requests. Dr Emma Green, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, looks at the relevant law and offers some practical steps for handling these requests

As the vaccination programme against COVID-19 continues in the UK, the usual laws around patient consent still apply. But what if your patient lacks capacity to consent? Dr Jayne Molodynski, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, offers advice and guidance