Surviving your foundation years
HIV and confidentiality
Medical Protection’s expert consultants frequently deal with queries about patient confidentiality. However, few cases reach the steps of the courts. Dr James Lucas, medicolegal consultant, examines a recent High Court judgment in a neighbouring jurisdiction.
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Being a paediatrician
Dr Michele Afif, Medicolegal Adviser at Medical Protection, reflects on her experiences of working in paediatrics
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An early presentation
Baby T was eight weeks old when his mother brought him to his GP’s morning surgery. His mother had become increasingly concerned about his general irritability and frequent crying episodes, which lasted up to two hours. These had become apparent over the past three days, not settling with breast feeding.
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Missed critical limb ischaemia
Mr S was a 60-year-old lorry driver. He was overweight and smoked, and couldn’t walk far because he suffered with pain in his calves.
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Back again with cauda equina syndrome
When Mrs C, a keen golfer in her early forties, began to experience constant pain in her lower back, she consulted a GP at her local surgery. Dr P took a history of slow onset of pain with restricted mobility. He did not examine her, but prescribed an NSAID and advised Mrs C to return in two weeks if there was no improvement.
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Non-compliant patient sues doctor: whose fault is it?
Whilst doctors have a duty of care for their patients, and their primary concern should be their wellbeing, how do we establish patient responsibility for their own wellbeing? Dr Dawn McGuire, Medical Claims Adviser, looks into contributory negligence and whether we can define patient responsibility.
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Team communication within general practice
Suzanne Creed, clinical risk and education manager at Medical Protection, explores some risk management tips and strategies to improve communication within your team
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An uncollected prescription
An elderly patient dies after his prescription goes uncollected. Who is at fault – the GP or the patient’s care home? Medical Protection assisted a member at the resulting inquest.
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Treating asthma over the phone
Dr T’s deskilling in resuscitation leads to a patient death and a claim.
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Behind the scenes of a coroner's inquest
Delayed diagnosis of lung cancer
Testamentary capacity – understanding the part you play
Learning on the job: My top tips
Dr Charles Brantly shares his experience of what it takes to learn on the job and become a better doctor each day.
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Power and Responsibility
Dr Deborah Bowman discusses the pressure and challenge for new doctors as they begin their career.
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The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB): what you need to know
The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB): what you need to know
When investigating patient safety incidents, it is vital that this is done in an open and honest manner, without apportionment of blame. The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) has operated since 2017 but what should you do if you become part of an investigation? Sarah Pickering, advisory case manager at Medical Protection, finds out
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Ten essential tips for your foundation years
Dr Jayne Molodynski provides her top ten tips for surviving your foundation years.
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GP dilemma: prescribing valproate
As a GP, what should you do when a patient already taking a valproate medicine attends for another prescription without meeting specific safety criteria?
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Paraplegia follows epidural
Consent and record-keeping are at the heart of this claim, which sees a patient left paraplegic following an epidural.
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Video: A Nitrofurantoin Problem
A doctor's failure to link raised ALT levels with a patient's use of nitrofurantoin led to a complaint being brought against them. Watch this short video to find out how the situation arose and advice Medical Protection gave.
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Why the way errors are investigated needs to change
Adult safeguarding and confidentiality – disclosing information to th...
Adult safeguarding and confidentiality – disclosing information to the Office of the Public Guardian
Knowing when you can disclose sensitive patient information is a notoriously complex area. Sarah Pickering, advisory case manager at Medical Protection, considers some recent queries from members regarding disclosures to the Office of the Public Guardian
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