Mounting pressures on NHS services have made digital solutions inevitable, and NHS England expects all primary care patients to have the right to online consultations by April 2020 – but with new technology comes new risks. Dr Heidi Mounsey, medicolegal consultant at Medical Protection, advises on best practice

Denise Thomas, case manager at Medical Protection, shares a recent case relating to a disclosure to the DVLA without patient consent.

An obvious question to ask when people are unintentionally but avoidably harmed is: “why did things go wrong?” Professor Paul Bowie, Programme Director (Safety & Improvement) at NHS Education for Scotland, looks at how we can think differently about patient safety.

The focus on patient safety in healthcare is at the forefront of ensuring the provision of high quality healthcare.1 Diane Baylis, clinical risk educator at Medical Protection, tells us more about the concept of ‘never events’ and how they can improve patient safety.

Most practices will engage locum GPs at some point. In this article, Dr Mahibur Rahman, a portfolio GP and the medical director of Emedica, looks at some top tips for practices to consider from the perspective of a locum GP.

To ensure staffing needs are met, whether because of unexpected shortages or due to planned cover, the use of locums is commonplace in many general practices. Our employment law partner, Croner, looks at steps you can take to ensure a positive locum experience.

Doctors are under an obligation to co-operate with any coronial investigation, including attendance at an inquest if called to give evidence. Rachel Parker, case manager at Medical Protection, looks at the consequences of failing to attend an inquest

In a recent Medical Protection survey almost a third of doctors questioned were not comfortable discussing organ donation with a patient. With different laws across the UK and further changes imminent, this is maybe not surprising

Medical Protection advice line often receives queries from doctors concerned about patients that are driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Kate Cowan, advisory case manager, shares our advice.

Situations where a doctor is both an employer and the treating clinician of a patient are problematic and should be avoided. Sarah Pickering, advisory case manager at Medical Protection, looks at a recent query from the advice line

Medical Protection litigation solicitor Suzanne Tate looks at a claim involving a missed diagnosis of sepsis and the work of Medical Protection in successfully defending seven GP members