Dilemma: DNAR orders
Dr Jonny Morris describes a tricky scenario of a patient with a do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) order.
Read moreDr Jonny Morris describes a tricky scenario of a patient with a do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) order.
Read moreDr Richard Stacey looks at a wide range of factors that could lead to a GMC hearing...
Read moreDoctors 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 moreThe 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 moreAs 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 moreThe 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 moreProviding 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 moreDr 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
Read moreElectronic communication can provide a useful and alternative point of access for patients. However, you should make sure that, if sensitive information needs to be sent electronically, safeguards are in place to avoid breaching patient confidentiality. This factsheet sets out the potential risks of electronic communication.
Read moreMany members of MPS will have very few medicolegal cases in the course of their career. But what happens to those who need assistance rather more frequently? Sarah Whitehouse finds out more.
Read moreElectronic communication can provide a useful and alternative point of access for patients. However, you should make sure that if sensitive information needs to besent electronically, safeguards are in place to avoid breaching patient confidentiality. This factsheet sets out the potential risks of electronic communication.
Read moreElectronic communication can provide a useful and alternative point of access for patients. However, you should make sure that, if sensitive information needs to be sent electronically, safeguards are in place to avoid breaching patient confidentiality. This factsheet sets out the potential risks of electronic communication.
Read moreA new tribunal service to decide on the fitness to practise of UK doctors was launched on 11 June, in the biggest shake up of medical regulation in the United Kingdom since the formation of the General Medical Council more than 150 years ago.
Read moreA career in academic medicine opens up a chance to work at the frontier of medical science, writes Dr Cathy Symonds
Read moreMPS medicolegal adviser Dr Jayne Molodynski explains why it is important to recognise the limits of your competence
Read moreMany new doctors are pushed to the limits of their competence – if you feel out of your depth speak up before it’s too late, says Dr Jo Pointon.
Read moreThe best interests principle in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (the Act) states that any act done or decision made on behalf of an adult lacking capacity must be in their best interests. This can cover financial, health and social care decisions.
Read moreThe last thing you want to hear when on board a long-haul flight: “Is there a doctor on board?” Dr Clement Lau shares his story
Read moreParental 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.
Read moreLate diagnosis of HIV in adults continues to be an important issue in the UK but for too long it has been absent from healthcare’s topical agenda. With national audit data showing that 24% of deaths of HIV-positive adults in the UK in 2006 were due to a diagnosis of HIV being made too late for effective treatment,1 and further data showing that around one third of all HIV infections in UK adults remain undiagnosed, and approximately 25% of newly-diagnosed individuals have a CD4 count of less than 200 – an indicator of late diagnosis – there is clearly a lack of timely opportunity to improve early diagnosis.
Read moreDr Imran Qureshi, Director General, Doctors Advancing Patient Safety, describes why more junior doctors should sign up
Read moreMPS Medicolegal Adviser Dr Jonathan Bernstein highlights the consequences of not notifying the GMC when you finish your F2
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