MPS medicolegal adviser Dr Pallavi Bradshaw joins a panel of experts at Pulse magazine, to share advice on common dilemmas encountered by newly-qualified GPs.
Read moreNHS England has launched a new digital platform designed for general practice staff to make it quick and easy to submit patient safety incident reports to the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS), the NHS’s national patient safety incident database.
Read moreRecently there have been a number of enquiries specifically in relation to members accompanying pilgrimages in a medical capacity.
Read moreNeedlestick injuries can be classified as any piercing wound caused by a hypodermic needle, or by other sharp instruments or objects such as scalpels, mounted needles, broken glassware, etc. This factsheet sets out the main concerns for healthcare professionals and what to do when needlestick injuries happen.
Read moreGPs should put confidentiality clauses around social media in their staff contracts, says MPS.
Read moreGPs are likely to face two lawsuits over the course of their career, according to MPS.
Read moreNHS authorities can now be forced by the Information Commissioner (ICO) to be audited for compliance with the Data Protection Act.
Read moreProviding access to medical records is essentially a confidentiality issue; therefore, the starting point is whether or not the patient has consented to disclosure. If not, access should be denied, unless there is some other clear justification for allowing access.
Read moreEvery GP will experience challenging patients, says GP and Head of Member Education for MPS Dr Mark Dinwoodie, the key is how to manage those interactions in the best way.
Read moreJohn Robinson is responsible for all the user generated content on NHS Choices, here he argues that by adopting a constructive approach to social media, rather than a defensive one, doctors can use online patient feedback to their advantage.
Read moreOne incident can be investigated in a number of different ways – as a complaint, a clinical negligence claim, a criminal case, a disciplinary matter by your employer, a Procurator Fiscal’s FAI or a complaint to the GMC. An important starting point is your written report on the circumstances of the incident. This factsheet gives more information about writing this report.
Read moreGood medical records – whether electronic or handwritten – are essential for the continuity of care of your patients. Adequate medical records enable you or somebody else to reconstruct the essential parts of each patient contact without reference to memory. They should therefore be comprehensive enough to allow a colleague to carry on where you left off.
Read moreProviding access to medical records is essentially a confidentiality issue; therefore, the starting point is whether or not the patient has consented to disclosure. If not, access should be denied, unless there is some other clear justification for allowing access.
Read moreThe Mental Capacity Act (MCA ) creates a new form of power of attorney – Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), which gives another individual the authority to make decisions for an individual who now lacks capacity. This factsheet gives you more information about LPAs.
Read moreThe Mental Capacity Act (the Act) established the Court of Protection, whose role it is to protect individuals who lack capacity and make rulings on difficult decisions about their care and welfare. This factsheet gives you more information about the role of the Court of Protection.
Read moreAn advance decision (“living will”) to refuse future medical treatment – should the patient then lack capacity – can be made by a person who is over 18 and who has capacity. This factsheet gives further information about advance decisions.
Read moreA Medical Protection Society (MPS) survey of over 290 members in Scotland reveals that 67% of respondents do not believe a duty to be open with patients will improve openness. Of the 296 doctors surveyed by MPS, 66% were not aware of the proposals for a duty of candour and 70% believe a statutory duty to admit mistakes would be difficult to enforce.
Read moreA Medical Protection Society (MPS) survey of over 290 members in Scotland reveals that 81% believe the proposed new criminal sanctions for healthcare professionals who wilfully neglect or ill-treat patients will create a culture of fear and 75% believe doctors are currently fully accountable for errors that may happen.
Read moreFit note is an informal name for the Statement of Fitness for Work. The Statement intends to advise patients who are on sick leave for more than seven days on whether, with extra support from their employer, they could return to work.
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