MPS disappointed as criminal sanction for wilful neglect added to Courts Bill
Post date: 11/06/2014 | Time to read article: 1 minsThe information within this article was correct at the time of publishing. Last updated 14/11/2018
The Medical Protection Society (MPS) responds to the government’s decision to add the new criminal sanctions for ill treatment or wilful neglect to the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill.
Dr Nick Clements, Head of Medical Services at MPS said, 'MPS is extremely disappointed and concerned to see that the new criminal sanctions for ill-treatment or wilful neglect will be added to the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, which is already halfway through Parliament. This criminal sanction will have a huge impact on the professional lives of doctors and it must be given time to receive the serious scrutiny it warrants; not just rushed through as an amendment to an existing bill.
MPS strongly opposes the new criminal sanctions as we believe the current regulatory, disciplinary and criminal framework is already effective at censuring unprofessional behaviour and there is no justification for new legislation.
The government has focused too much on penalties and not enough on creating an open learning culture. Doctors must feel able to report accidents and near misses so they can learn from mistakes.'
To read a briefing on MPS’s views on the new criminal sanctions click here
