Recently a patient with terminal pancreatic cancer presented acutely with bowel obstruction and was admitted to hospital under our team. We discussed DNACPR with the patient, and he was in agreement that this would be appropriate to have in place. The following day, however, his wife was very unhappy this had not been discussed with her, and she asked to have the DNACPR order removed. To what extent are we as clinicians obliged to discuss a DNACPR decision with relatives, having already discussed this with the patient?
The GMC is introducing a new revalidation assessment next year for doctors based overseas and those not currently undertaking medical practice to support their revalidation.
Have you been allocated a responsible officer? Are you familiar with the RCGP’s credit system? If not, read medicolegal adviser and portfolio GP Dr Rachel Birch’s shares her practical revalidation checklist
Mandatory reporting of FGM comes into effect on 31 October
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Medical Protection is urging doctors to be aware of their professional obligations relating to reporting and treating victims of female genital mutilation (FGM).
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been a criminal offence in the UK since 1985 and the legislation was re-enacted in the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. Five official reports on the subject have been published since November 2013 and MPS has produced this guidance for members.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been a criminal offence in the UK since 1985 and the legislation was re-enacted in the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. Five official reports on the subject have been published since November 2013 and MPS has produced this guidance for members.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been a criminal offence in the UK since 1985 and the legislation was re-enacted in the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. Five official reports on the subject have been published since November 2013 and MPS has produced this guidance for members.
Recruitment is becoming harder these days so to attract the best staff it’s worth spending a bit of time to write a great advert for your vacancy. If you create a template, some information will stay the same no matter what role you are advertising.
We have written to invite a member of staff to a formal capability hearing after a period of informal professional support. He is now off work sick. What is the appropriate course of action for us?
Brain cancer accounts for quarter of all childhood cancers, yet many GPs may still not have experience of the condition. Dr Rachel Birch outlines a case where diagnosis could have been made earlier
CQC compliance topped a recent Medical Protection survey of practice managers’ main concerns. We profile a practice who were recently inspected by the CQC, and interview two inspection managers about how practices can prepare for the process
Chapter 4: Professionalism - What to do when things go wrong
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The overwhelming majority of patients receive safe and effective care. However, when things do go wrong, it can be catastrophic for all involved. Part of being professional is having the knowledge and awareness to deal with such situations effectively.
New regulations on NHS complaints in Wales came into force on 1 April 2011. The regulations, along with guidance, are designed to make complaints handling open and accountable, fair and proportionate, and patient-focused – with a view to seeking continuous improvement.
Confidentiality – Disclosures relating to patients who are unable to consent - Wales
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You owe a duty of confidentiality to all your patients, past or present, even if they are adults who lack capacity. You may be asked to provide information from the medical records of patients who are incapable of giving consent, are aged under 18, or have died. This factsheet gives you further information about dealing with these circumstances.
Making audio and visual recordings of patients - Wales
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Making and using audio and visual recordings of patients can benefit medical training, research and treatment. However, it poses risks for doctors regarding consent and confidentiality.
Needlestick 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.
Valid consent is just as important when treating children and young people as it is with adults. In some situations children are able to give consent themselves, and sometimes others need to take the decision on their behalf. This factsheet sets out the basic information to enable you to obtain the appropriate consent from children and young people.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Concerned doctors reminded of their duty of patient confidentiality
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Common situations where doctors seek advice from Medical Protection include requests for medical records by the police or social services, concerns raised by family or friends and being asked to provide a report on injuries.
Communicating with patients by text message - Wales
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Text messaging allows practices to target and contact hundreds of patients within minutes. Patients can respond by text with replies automatically forwarded to a specified email address. Many practices are signing up to using a text messaging service to inform patients of appointments, flu vaccinations, etc.
Good 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.
Certain circumstances can mean you are obliged to disclose information about a patient, even if you do not have their consent; under other circumstances, disclosure may be justifiable. This factsheet gives you further information about these circumstances.
Disclosures relating to patients unable to consent - Scotland
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You owe a duty of confidentiality to all your patients, past or present, even if they are adults who lack capacity. You may be asked to provide information from the medical records of patients who are incapable of giving consent, are aged under 16, or have died. This factsheet gives you further information about dealing with these circumstances.
Read real-life cases of complaints, claims and clinical negligence taken from our archives.
Chosen to give you clear learning points to help you avoid similar situations and reduce your risk, the cases also feature advice from medicolegal experts.
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