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Articles and features 19/10/2018

A touchy subject

A touchy subject

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Intimate examinations are something that every GP will have to carry out at some point in their career, but it’s important that they are conducted in an appropriate manner, especially if one is required during a home visit. Dr Gabrielle Pendlebury, medicolegal consultant at Medical Protection, gives her advice on how best to manage these situations

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Articles and features 19/10/2018

Should you mention the C word when it is probably nothing?

Should you mention the C word when it is probably nothing?

Time to read article: 3 mins
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You are concerned there’s a small chance a patient might have cancer. You want to refer them for tests. Do you tell them the possible, albeit unlikely, diagnosis and risk upsetting or scaring them? Or do you try and keep them calm and not mention the C word at all?

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Articles and features 09/10/2018

Ask the expert: Is a patient’s son entitled to access his mother’s co...

Ask the expert: Is a patient’s son entitled to access his mother’s confidential information?

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Is the patient’s son entitled to access his mother’s confidential information? Where a patient lacks capacity clinicians should consider what action is in the patient’s best interests.

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Articles and features 09/10/2018

Ask the expert: Are we obliged to facilitate a request for CCTV foota...

Ask the expert: Are we obliged to facilitate a request for CCTV footage of the practice car park?

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Are we obliged to facilitate a request for CCTV footage of the practice car park? You need to consider the confidentiality of other patients. Dr Rachel Birch, medicolegal consultant, answers a member’s query.

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Case report 28/09/2018

Learning from allegations of sexual assault

Learning from allegations of sexual assault

Time to read article: 10 mins
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Gross negligence manslaughter is a topical issue in healthcare, but cases against doctors are still comparatively rare. Dr John Jolly, head of member risk education and Dr Richard Stacey, head of policy and technical, look at a more common cause of criminal cases brought against members of Medical Protection: sexual assault.

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Case report 21/09/2018

When is healthcare criminal?

When is healthcare criminal?

Time to read article: 4 mins
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The case of Dr Bawa-Garba and the resulting collision between the medical community and the criminal justice system, sent shockwaves around the world. Dr Richard Stacey, head of policy and technical at Medical Protection, analyses criminal cases handled by MPS in 2017 to gauge the likelihood of further charges of gross negligence manslaughter.

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Case report 12/09/2018

Injection errors

Injection errors

Time to read article: 4 mins
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A common cause of claims at Medical Protection is injection errors. While generally low in value, they frequently cause anxiety to patients and clinicians, and are easily avoided. Dr Dawn McGuire, Medical Claims Adviser at Medical Protection, looks at some typical cases.

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Articles and features 12/09/2018

Online prescription services: what if you disagree?

Online prescription services: what if you disagree?

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Online prescription services offer great convenience to patients, but they also come with risks. What do you do if one of your patients has been taking medication prescribed online that you do not think they require? Dr Marika Davies, senior medicolegal adviser at Medical Protection, explores this issue.

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Articles and features 29/08/2018

Artificial intelligence: who’s liable?

Artificial intelligence: who’s liable?

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Advancements in medical technology can bring huge benefits for patients and clinicians alike – but new approaches can also mean new risks. Dr Helen Hartley, Head of Underwriting Policy at Medical Protection, looks at where the liability lies for artificial intelligence.

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Case report 14/08/2018

The challenges of making a challenge

The challenges of making a challenge

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A patient’s solicitor sought disclosure of a GMC expert report after a case had been closed. Medical Protection successfully challenged this, only for the decision to be overturned at appeal. Kirsty Sharp, content editor at Medical Protection, looks at the challenges of making a challenge

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Factsheet 08/08/2018

Inquests - Northern Ireland

Inquests - Northern Ireland

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An inquest is a fact-finding exercise that is conducted by the Coroner and, in some cases, in front of a jury. The purpose of an inquest is to find out who the person was and, how, when and where they died. This factsheet gives further information about what happens at an inquest.

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Articles and features 06/08/2018

Is my patient fit to fly?

Is my patient fit to fly?

Time to read article: 4 mins
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Now that the peak holiday season is upon us, GPs may find themselves asked to declare patients “fit to fly”. Dr Rachel Birch, medicolegal adviser at Medical Protection, presents two case scenarios, illustrating what GPs can do to support patients while minimising potential risks.

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Articles and features 25/06/2018

Practice nurses – the right indemnity for you

Practice nurses – the right indemnity for you

Time to read article: 4 mins
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As nurses take on additional roles in practices, it is vital that you understand your requirements with regards to professional indemnity. Diane Baylis, Clinical Risk and Education Manager at Medical Protection, looks at the different options.

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Articles and features 08/06/2018

Redaction and anonymisation - doing your bit for data protection

Redaction and anonymisation - doing your bit for data protection

Time to read article: 1 mins
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New data protection regulations came into force on 25 May and MPS is committed to fulfilling its legal obligations – correct redaction and anonymisation is one way that you can play your part in safeguarding data.

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Case report 16/04/2018

Delayed diagnosis

Delayed diagnosis

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Mrs F, a 30-year-old housewife, visited her GP, Dr O, with a four-week history of diarrhoea. Dr O arranged a stool sample for microscopy and culture (which was negative) and prescribed codeine. Four months later, Mrs F was still having diarrhoea, especially after meals, and she had started to notice some weight loss. She returned to the surgery and this time saw Dr P, who examined her and found nothing remarkable, but decided to refer her to gastroenterology in view of her persistent symptoms.

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Case report 13/04/2018

Delayed diagnosis of Achilles tendon rupture

Delayed diagnosis of Achilles tendon rupture

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Mr E, a 50-year-old accountant, was playing squash with a colleague after work and hurt his left ankle. He couldn’t keep playing but he was able to walk, so he went home. The next day his ankle became quite swollen, so Mr E kept it on ice and took some ibuprofen...

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