Articles and features 01/04/2013 Healthcare assistants Preview Article Healthcare assistants Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview In this alert Julie Price, MPS’s Clinical Risk Programme Manager, highlights the risk of healthcare assistants performing immunisations Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... GP locum Managing clinical risk Negligence General practice Compliance
Factsheet 01/04/2013 Safeguarding children FAQs - Wales Preview Article Safeguarding children FAQs - Wales Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview 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. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Ethics Wales Generic Medicine Data Protection Patients
Factsheet 01/04/2013 Guide to writing expert reports - Scotland Preview Article Guide to writing expert reports - Scotland Time to read article: 1 mins Close Preview As an expert you should be aiming to produce a report which is free standing – from which the reader can glean the key issues in the case, understand the evidence available and reach a clear understanding of the range of expert opinion, without needing to look at any other document. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Claims Communication Investigations CQC compliance Record keeping Scotland
Articles and features 01/04/2013 Ask the expert Preview Article Ask the expert Time to read article: 4 mins Close Preview Some years ago we teamed up with the UK’s leading provider of workplace advice to provide the Croner helpline to our Practice Xtra members. Louise Barnes, Senior Employment Consultant at Croner, reveals the top five workplace issues. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Human resources GP locum Practice Matters Compliance General practice
Factsheet 01/04/2013 Consent – The basics - Wales Preview Article Consent – The basics - Wales Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview 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 more Article contains Text Tagged in... Consent Wales Communication Use Guidelines Medical Records Managing clinical risk
Factsheet 01/04/2013 Safeguarding children - Scotland Preview Article Safeguarding children - Scotland Time to read article: 4 mins Close Preview The GMC states that “Whether or not you have vulnerable children or young people as patients, you should consider their needs and welfare and offer them help if you think their rights have been abused or denied.” Surgery consultations, home visits, accident and emergency admissions and contact with other professionals who work with children help to build up a picture of a child’s situation. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Scotland Ethics Data Protection Generic Medicine Consent Confidentiality
Press release 26/03/2013 MPS maintains that a culture of openness is more effective than ‘tick... Preview Article MPS maintains that a culture of openness is more effective than ‘tick box’ legislation Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview Following the Government’s response to the Francis report today, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) is pleased that time and care is being taken to consider whether a statutory duty of candour on individuals should be introduced. However, MPS continues to highlight its belief that high quality and effective openness in healthcare can only be achieved through a cultural shift, not legislation. Read more Article contains Text
Press release 25/03/2013 Good Medical Practice means doctors never off duty – MPS response to... Preview Article Good Medical Practice means doctors never off duty – MPS response to GMC guidance Time to read article: 1 mins Close Preview 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. Read more Article contains Text
Press release 22/03/2013 Prostate cancer is the sixth most common cancer claim, says MPS Preview Article Prostate cancer is the sixth most common cancer claim, says MPS Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview 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. Read more Article contains Text
Factsheet 01/03/2013 Controlled drugs - Wales Preview Article Controlled drugs - Wales Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview 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. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Issues & conflict management Managing clinical risk GP locum Use Guidelines General practice Wales
Press release 19/02/2013 Technology highlighted as a key factor across risks in general practices Preview Article Technology highlighted as a key factor across risks in general practices Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview 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. Read more Article contains Text
Press release 15/02/2013 Online medical records a ‘Pandora’s Box’ – MPS survey reveals securit... Preview Article Online medical records a ‘Pandora’s Box’ – MPS survey reveals security fears Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview 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. Read more Article contains Text
Articles and features 13/01/2013 Think that only incompetent doctors get referred to the GMC? Think ag... Preview Article Think that only incompetent doctors get referred to the GMC? Think again… Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview Dr Richard Stacey looks at a wide range of factors that could lead to a GMC hearing... Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Reputation management Generic Medicine Professionalism Managing clinical risk Patients
Factsheet 09/01/2013 Access to medical reports - Scotland Preview Article Access to medical reports - Scotland Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview 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. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Scotland Human resources Ethics Generic Medicine Consent Medical Records
Press release 04/01/2013 Parents at war over child’s medical records – MPS reveals figures on... Preview Article Parents at war over child’s medical records – MPS reveals figures on ‘Divorce Day’ Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview 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. Read more Article contains Text
Factsheet 04/01/2013 Safeguarding children FAQs - Northern Ireland Preview Article Safeguarding children FAQs - Northern Ireland Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview 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. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Northern Ireland Use Guidelines Issues & conflict management Patients Generic Medicine Consent
Factsheet 04/01/2013 Giving evidence - Scotland Preview Article Giving evidence - Scotland Time to read article: 4 mins Close Preview 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. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... CQC compliance Medical Records Patients Investigations Compliance Generic Medicine
Factsheet 01/01/2013 Mental Capacity Act 2005 - Independent Mental Capacity Advocates Preview Article Mental Capacity Act 2005 - Independent Mental Capacity Advocates Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview 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. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Wales Northern Ireland Scotland Consent Managing clinical risk Ethics
Factsheet 01/01/2013 Access to health records - Wales Preview Article Access to health records - Wales Time to read article: 5 mins Close Preview 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. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Confidentiality Record keeping Managing clinical risk Medical Records Consent Practice management
Press release 20/12/2012 MPS reveals 'Melanoma blackspot' – 94% of claims lie with GPs Preview Article MPS reveals 'Melanoma blackspot' – 94% of claims lie with GPs Time to read article: 1 mins Close Preview 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. Read more Article contains Text
Press release 21/11/2012 Patient experience is the smoke detector of patient safety Preview Article Patient experience is the smoke detector of patient safety Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview 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. Read more Article contains Text
Press release 24/10/2012 One in ten cancer claims relate to breast cancer - MPS reminder for d... Preview Article One in ten cancer claims relate to breast cancer - MPS reminder for doctors to be vigilant Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview 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). Read more Article contains Text
Press release 15/10/2012 Cosmetic interventions review highlights importance of managing patie... Preview Article Cosmetic interventions review highlights importance of managing patient expectations, say MPS Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview 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 Read more Article contains Text
Press release 12/10/2012 Recall of typhoid vaccine highlights the importance of documentation Preview Article Recall of typhoid vaccine highlights the importance of documentation Time to read article: 1 mins Close Preview 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). Read more Article contains Text