Following a number of practice meetings I had some real corkers to tell from the “field” about dilemmas in discretion and confidentiality.

The words CQC and inspection can strike fear into the hearts of practices; what can your practice do to get through this daunting time? Charlotte Hudson investigates.

Cross Hills is a semi-rural practice on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, located between Keighley and Skipton. Part of the Airedale Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group, it is a training practice with just over 12,000 patients, ten GPs, one Registrar, two advanced nurse practitioners and a full practice nursing team, as well as dedicated admin support staff.

Fred had been my patient for a few years but died in November 2011. Fiona, who is the eldest daughter of Fred, is also my patient and was her father’s main carer. Fred was due to take a holiday over Christmas in 2011, so Fiona wanted to cancel the holiday and make a claim on the holiday insurance policy that Fred took out in December 2009.

In this series Charlotte Hudson explores the key risk areas in general practice

Dr Euan Lawson, portfolio GP in Cumbria, explains how a little bit of apathy goes a long way

Roslynne O’Connor relocated to the beautiful Isle of Skye to work as a practice manager; she describes her typical day

In the second part of his four-part series exploring elements of the new Good Medical Practice, Professor Sir Peter Rubin, chair of the GMC, looks at conflicts of interest

How does a nurse practitioner run a successful GP practice? Charlotte Hudson chats to Carol Sears who is the clinical director of The Cuckoo Lane Practice in Hanwell, London

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

Julie Price, Clinical Risk Programme Manager, shares a repeat prescribing journey to safeguard your practice.

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.

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

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.

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

Kate Taylor, MPS Clinical Risk Manager, highlights the importance of infection control in general practice