His Honour Judge David Pearl has been Chair of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) since June 2012. The MPTS took over the adjudication of doctors’ fitness to practise from the GMC in order to create a system independent of the investigation process. Judge Pearl recently met with Gareth Gillespie to reflect on the first year of the MPTS and what further plans he has in store for the organisation.

New GP Dr Laura Davison took a career break to become a jungle GP in Mexico. Here’s what happened

In this issue we share a case where a GP got in trouble prescribing for a family member, when a pharmacist reported him to the GMC

Try these sample AKT questions provided by Dr Mahibur Rahman from Emedica

Dr Stephanie Bowm, MPS Director of Policy and Communications, provides a reminder of the importance of following GMC guidance when prescribing medication.

Apart from certain treatments carried out under the Mental Health Act and some forms of fertility treatment, there is no legal requirement to obtain written consent, but most health organisations have policies stipulating when written consent should be obtained. Employees are expected to be familiar with these and adhere to them.

Try these sample AKT questions provided by Dr Mahibur Rahman from Emedica

The GMC’s latest advice around social media has caused much debate. Here chair of the GMC, Professor Sir Peter Rubin responds to the criticism, and new GP Dr Laura Davison comments on the guidance

The GMC’s latest Good Medical Practice reflects the ever-changing demands of modern healthcare provision, says Dr Rachel Birch, and these two cases illustrate two areas where the GMC has expanded its guidance

Deputy chair of the BMA Dr Richard Vautrey gives an insight into his busy life

In April the clinical landscape of the NHS will undertake the biggest change since its inception in 1948. In his analysis of the changes, Dr Simon Abrams raises concerns over potential conflicts of interest.

MPS clinical risk manager Diane Baylis shares risk advice for practices in how to prepare for a CQC inspection.

Earn CPD points by reading this feature on shared decision making. Dr Paul Nisselle explores how to move from bedside to beside

Doctors may, on occasion, receive a request from a patient’s employer for a medical report to be delivered directly to the HR department, without the patient seeing it. However, before any medical report can be provided, you must be satisfied that the patient has given valid consent to the release of the information.

Dr Laura Davison, a GP registrar from Milton Keynes, shares her thoughts on topical issues facing GP trainees. Here she explores how to break the ice in general practice

In this issue we share a case where a locum GP raised concerns about patient safety in a practice he had worked at for three months

Dr Paula–Jane Marrett, Dr Fiona Boyd and Beverley Chapman recently won the poster competition at the annual Patient Safety Congress. They share their research and findings

More than half of UK practices have removed patients from their practice list in the last three years. Medicolegal adviser Dr Jayne Molodynski investigates

Dr Mahibur Rahman, Medical Director of Emedica, shares with Charlotte Hudson insider knowledge on how to pass the MRCGP exams