Respect for patients’ autonomy is expressed in consent law; to impose care or treatment on people without respecting their wishes and right to self-determination is not only unethical, but illegal.
Read moreI’ve had a portfolio career since 1990, and do different jobs every day. I currently work as an associate specialist in an NHS paediatric chronic fatigue service, a broadcaster for BBC Radio Bristol, an investigative journalist for Private Eye, a health writer for Reveal, The Times and Telegraph Men and an author, lecturer, campaigner and comedian. I manage it by compartmentalising my life, and winging it a lot (or as comedians call it, improvising).
Read moreRemoving patients from the practice list is an emotive issue, risking criticism from bodies such as the Ombudsman, the GMC and the media, and should only be used as a last resort. The reasons for removing a patient from the list can be varied, but it should not be in response to patients lodging a complaint or failing to comply with treatment. Nor should it be used purely because a patient is highly demanding, offers criticisms or questions his/her treatment.
Read moreMiss C, a 30-year-old accountant, developed an asymptomatic left-sided neck lump. A CT scan revealed a 23 x 17 x 27mm mass at the carotid bifurcation consistent with a carotid body tumour.
Read moreForty-four-year-old Ms M presented to her GP with pain and swelling of her right knee. She had experienced similar symptoms three years earlier whilst pregnant but had not undergone any investigations at the time
Read moreMr H, a 45-year-old solicitor and father of three, visited his GP Dr P with a persistent headache. He described two months of symptoms, occurring up to six times per week, mainly in the mornings and with associated nausea.
Read moreMrs J, a 62-year-old housewife, did not visit her GP often. However, she consulted Dr D with a two-week history of coryzal symptoms.
Read moreMr M, a 44-year-old architect, attended his GP, Dr C, for a skin check. Dr C diagnosed a papilloma on his right chest wall as well as a seborrhoeic keratosis skin lesion of the upper left arm.
Read moreMiss A, a 40-year-old IT consultant, was talking to a colleague at work when she developed a headache, along with blurred vision and nausea.
Read moreA baby was born by caesarean section at 27 weeks gestation with a birth weight of 980grams. The baby was intubated, ventilated and endotracheal surfactant was administered.
Read moreMr S was a 35-year-old taxi driver who was visiting his extended family abroad. While he was there he decided to have a routine health check in a private clinic. He told the doctor in the health clinic that he had noticed some rectal bleeding over the previous four months.
Read moreThe CQC has agreed not to use bandings for GP intelligent monitoring, following a thorough review of last year’s process and outcomes.
Read moreA doctor’s primary concern is to do their best for their patients; this includes giving advice and treatment, and arranging investigations in accordance with the current evidence base and the patient’s best interests.
Read moreNHS authorities can now be forced by the Information Commissioner (ICO) to be audited for compliance with the Data Protection Act.
Read moreWe get a number of queries about indemnity requirements for practice staff. Here are answers to two of our most commonly asked questions.
Read moreConsulting on the telephone requires a different skill-set, relying on common sense and improvisation. Learning how to do this effectively is necessary to safeguard patients and your professional position, says GP and popular author Dr Tony Males
Read moreAn important starting point is your written report on the circumstances of the incident. This factsheet gives more information about writing this report.
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 Coroner’s inquest or a complaint to the GMC.
Read moreThe CQC has introduced a new regulation that makes it a statutory duty to have systems in place that capture patient safety incidents.
Read moreMPS 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 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 moreOne of the biggest hurdles for locums is actually being told about complaints. Here Terri Bonnici, general practice complaints manager, highlights the locum’s role in the complaints investigation process to reduce the risk of this happening
Read more
