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 moreMaking 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. In addition, all recordings from which living individuals can be identified constitute personal data and are subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act.
Read moreMaking 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. In addition, all recordings from which living individuals can be identified constitute personal data and are subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act.
Read moreAs Jeremy Hunt is reappointed as Health Secretary, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) is urging the new administration to consider two key issues affecting healthcare professionals; the lack of a collaborative, open learning culture and the rising cost of clinical negligence claims.
Read moreThe GMC states that “doctors play a crucial role in protecting children from abuse and neglect”. Child maltreatment includes neglect and physical, sexual and emotional abuse. The following frequently asked questions are designed to advise MPS members what to do and who to contact, should they suspect children are at risk of, or are experiencing, harm.
Read moreThe recent earthquake in Nepal has caused widespread loss of life, resulting in calls for an emergency relief effort.
Read moreText 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.
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 moreA clinical negligence claim is a demand for financial compensation for alleged harm caused by substandard clinical care. Common reasons for claims include failure or delay in diagnosis, or incorrect treatment. In fact, many claims arise out of poor communication.
Read moreA Medical Protection Society (MPS) survey of more than 500 UK members, including GPs, consultants and non-consultant hospital doctors, revealed that two in three doctors (68%) believe there is a blame and shame culture in the NHS, and that it will be difficult to overcome this. This compares with 66% of respondents to the same survey conducted in 2011, indicating that there has not been a positive culture change in four years.
Read moreMPS Complaints Adviser Sue Taylor explains how using the NHS Complaints Advocacy Service can help practices
Read moreCertain 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.
Read moreA new Order from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) came into force on 6 April 2015 following an investigation into the independent healthcare market.
Read moreThe Medical Protection Society (MPS) is calling on the next government to prioritise reform of the legal system to drive down the cost of clinical negligence. MPS believes introducing fixed costs for small value claims and a reform of the rules relating to claimants’ expert reports will help make clinical negligence more affordable.
Read moreAs new doctors start their careers on hospital wards, a Medical Protection survey of over 500 doctors who have just completed their first year has revealed that 89% felt that they had some support. Of those, 91% said they received support from senior doctors, while 64% said they also received support from nurses.
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 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 moreThe CQC has introduced a new regulation that makes it a statutory duty to have systems in place that capture patient safety incidents.
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 moreNHS authorities can now be forced by the Information Commissioner (ICO) to be audited for compliance with the Data Protection Act.
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