A conversation with... David Pearl
His Honour Judge David Pearl has been Chair of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) since June 2012. The MPTS took over the adjudication of doctors’ fitness to practise from the GMC in order to create a system independent of the investigation process. Judge Pearl recently met with Gareth Gillespie to reflect on the first year of the MPTS and what further plans he has in store for the organisation.
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A day in the life of... Roslynne O’Connor
Roslynne O’Connor relocated to the beautiful Isle of Skye to work as a practice manager; she describes her typical day
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Hot topic: Conflicts of interest
In the second part of his four-part series exploring elements of the new Good Medical Practice, Professor Sir Peter Rubin, chair of the GMC, looks at conflicts of interest
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In the Hot Seat with Carol Sears
How does a nurse practitioner run a successful GP practice? Charlotte Hudson chats to Carol Sears who is the clinical director of The Cuckoo Lane Practice in Hanwell, London
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The Apprentice
New GP Dr Laura Davison took a career break to become a jungle GP in Mexico. Here’s what happened
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Risk alert: Repeat prescribing
Julie Price, Clinical Risk Programme Manager, shares a repeat prescribing journey to safeguard your practice.
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The medical law and ethics that pertain to safe prescribing
Dr Stephanie Bowm, MPS Director of Policy and Communications, provides a reminder of the importance of following GMC guidance when prescribing medication.
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Junior doctors need more support to fulfil their potential, MPS survey reveals
Parental responsibility - Wales
Parental responsibility refers to the rights and responsibilities that most parents have in respect of their children. This factsheet gives advice on who has parental responsibility and where responsibility lies in situations in which there are disagreements over the best interests of the child.
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NHS LA accounts show disproportionate impact of claimant legal fees - MPS responds to NHS LA Report and accounts 2012/2013
MPS and BMA joint letter to Jeremy Hunt calls for Chief Inspector of Hospitals to be independent and autonomous
Response to NHS England’s publication of mortality rates for individual hospital consultants
Recording consent and consent forms
Apart from certain treatments carried out under the Mental Health Act and some forms of fertility treatment, there is no legal requirement to obtain written consent, but most health organisations have policies stipulating when written consent should be obtained. Employees are expected to be familiar with these and adhere to them.
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The legal importance of good medical records
Dr Stephanie Bown, MPS Director of Policy and Communications, examines why keeping accurate, detailed records is so important when it comes to continuity of care.
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MPS survey on Chief Inspector of Hospitals reveals doctors’ concerns
Social Media Black Hole
The GMC’s latest advice around social media has caused much debate. Here chair of the GMC, Professor Sir Peter Rubin responds to the criticism, and new GP Dr Laura Davison comments on the guidance
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A day in the life of... Dr Richard Vautrey
Deputy chair of the BMA Dr Richard Vautrey gives an insight into his busy life
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The power is in your hands
In April the clinical landscape of the NHS will undertake the biggest change since its inception in 1948. In his analysis of the changes, Dr Simon Abrams raises concerns over potential conflicts of interest.
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Preparing for CQC inspections
MPS clinical risk manager Diane Baylis shares risk advice for practices in how to prepare for a CQC inspection.
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Dealing with non-compliant patients
A doctor’s primary concern is to do their best for their patients; this includes giving advice and treatment, and arranging investigations in accordance with the current evidence base and the patient’s best interests.
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'Patients at risk if out-of-hours review ignores GPs’ concerns', warns MPS
Commenting on the news that Jeremy Hunt wants to place responsibility for round-the-clock care back in the hands of GPs, Nick Clements, Head of Medical Services for the Medical Protection Society said, 'The fictional world of Doc Martin is a long way from the reality of modern practice. The village doctor working all hours is simply unsustainable in many surgeries, which are struggling to cope under huge pressures, exacerbated by increasingly bureaucratic processes that divert resources away from patient care.
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87% of doctors think online medical records will raise patient expectations, MPS report reveals
The Medical Protection Society (MPS) has launched a report on the views of doctors and the public on online medical records. One of the issues highlighted is the disparity between the services that patients expect they will receive through online access to their records and what doctors think is realistic in the immediate term.
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