Good Medical Practice means doctors never off duty – MPS response to GMC guidance
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Commenting on the General Medical Council’s (GMC) updated version of Good Medical Practice, published today (25 March), Dr Stephanie Bown, Director of Policy and Communications at the Medical Protection Society (MPS) said, 'Upholding professional values is at the heart of the GMC’s guidance and it’s only right that doctors take the lead in ensuring high quality, safe care, especially for vulnerable patients.
Prostate cancer is the sixth most common cancer claim, says MPS
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As March is Prostate Cancer Awareness month, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) is reminding GPs to keep the disease front of mind, especially as there is no national screening for prostate cancer, which is predicted to become UK’s most common cancer by 2030.
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations (2001), GPs have a responsibility for controlled drugs (CDs) within their practice. This factsheet highlights what you should be aware of when carrying, storing and recording controlled drugs.
Technology highlighted as a key factor across risks in general practices
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Technology highlighted as a key factor across risks in general practices The top risks in general practice have been identified based on data collected by the Medical Protection Society (MPS) from more than 120 general practices in the UK.
Online medical records a ‘Pandora’s Box’ – MPS survey reveals security fears
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Following a survey of doctors and the public, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) compares the plans for online medical records to opening a ‘Pandora’s Box’, unless there are proper safeguards in place to protect patient confidentiality. The organisation is concerned that when access is granted, it could have unintended and severe consequences, such as sensitive information being accessed by a patient’s family members.
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. This factsheet looks at the issues surrounding medical reports for employers and other organisations, and offers advice to doctors who are asked to write reports.
Parents at war over child’s medical records – MPS reveals figures on ‘Divorce Day’
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The Medical Protection Society (MPS) reveals the rising number of calls on parents warring over a child’s medical records – a record 179 calls last year – on ‘Divorce Day’ (4 January). The figures work out at one phone call every other day from GPs seeking advice from MPS.
The 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.
As a doctor, you may be asked to give evidence in many different types of forums including criminal or civil courts, Fatal Accident Inquiries and employment or mental health tribunals. This factsheet gives further information about what to expect and how to prepare.
The role of Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCAs) is to support and represent a person who lacks capacity in making a specific decision, and who has no-one (other than paid carers) to support them. This factsheet sets out further information about IMCAs and the role they play.
Providing access to medical records is essentially a confidentiality issue; therefore, the starting point is whether or not the patient has consented to disclosure. If not, access should be denied, unless there is some other clear justification for allowing access.
MPS reveals 'Melanoma blackspot' – 94% of claims lie with GPs
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More than 9 in 10 claims over delayed diagnosis of melanoma involve GPs, according to figures released by the Medical Protection Society (MPS)* today in its Your Practice magazine.
‘Tis the season to be jolly… but vigilant to serious conditions
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Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, MPS medicolegal adviser and spokesperson. She advises and supports healthcare professionals predominantly in the UK and Asia, and has a specialist interest in emerging matters. Dr Bradshaw has had articles placed in leading medical trade publications on a number of legal and ethical issues. Here, she discusses the unique risks that can come with treating patients at Christmas time
Patient experience is the smoke detector of patient safety
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Modern day healthcare has taken on a patient-led agenda; with the NHS ‘friends and family test’ to be introduced from April 2013, patient feedback being an integral part of the revalidation of doctors and the NHS mandate’s focus on ensuring patients have a positive experience of care.
One in ten cancer claims relate to breast cancer - MPS reminder for doctors to be vigilant
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Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer-related clinical negligence claim against GPs – making up one in ten cancer claims – according to the Medical Protection Society (MPS).
Cosmetic interventions review highlights importance of managing patient expectations, say MPS
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Identifying whether a patient’s expectations are realistic and ensuring they give valid consent to the intended surgery are essential steps prior to a cosmetic procedure, says the Medical Protection Society (MPS) in response to the Department of Health’s Review of the Regulation of Cosmetic Interventions
Recall of typhoid vaccine highlights the importance of documentation
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The recent recall of a typhoid vaccine because it may not offer full protection, highlights the importance of health professionals accurately recording details of vaccines and batch numbers, says the Medical Protection Society (MPS).
Conference helps surgical trainees get to grips with ethical issues
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More than 100 surgeons in training attended the joint Medical Protection Society (MPS) and Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) conference – Getting to grips with law and ethics – on Friday. The conference gave an insight into the challenges of complex ethical and medicolegal issues, and ways to aid safer practice within surgical specialties.
Convenience shouldn’t compromise confidentiality, says MPS on GPs using tablet devices
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While using tablet devices might give GPs greater flexibility with accessing information on the go, such as patient records, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) is reminding GPs and practices that patient confidentiality needs to be carefully guarded.
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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