Being a medical expert: do you have what it takes?
Medical experts are crucial to many different legal processes. They can assist in clinical negligence claims, regulatory matters, Inquests and even criminal cases.
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Tackling sepsis
Sepsis is a serious condition, with significant medicolegal risk. Dr Dawn McGuire, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, looks at where the risk lies
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Trading structure
When starting in private practice, how you are structured for tax purposes is an extremely important decision. Picking the most appropriate trading structure for your individual circumstances will ensure you are tax efficient and maximise the return on your hard efforts. This article looks at the more common trade structures adopted for private work.
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Running a business
One of the main factors to consider when you start out in private practice is that you are running a business. It sounds obvious, but with little or no financial training it is easy to fall into the trap of not running your private practice like a business, and this almost always leads to financial loss. The second article in this series looks at the practical steps required to run your private practice as a business.
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Dealing with media enquiries about your patients
Not only is it important to be well equipped to deal with the challenges and pitfalls that might arise unexpectedly, but also to be prepared to speak to the press or deal with media enquiries following a patient’s treatment.
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Risky Business: When patients ignore the risks
Dr Gabrielle Pendlebury, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, advises on how best to manage a scenario where a patient doesn’t want to know the risks
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Consent and alternative treatment options
High profile cases have put the spotlight on the consent process and clinicians are increasingly aware of the risks; however, Medical Protection data shows a number of claims alleging that a clinician failed to explain alternative treatment options. Dr Emma Green, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, looks at the case law surrounding therapeutic options, GMC guidance on consent, and how these impact on the information provided to patients during the consent process.
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Considering the accidental storage of human tissue
A consultant in England contacted the Medical Protection advice line after she found a human skeleton in her loft while in the process of moving house.
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Great communication skills can lower risk of malpractice
Edward Leigh of The Center for Healthcare Communication argues that good communication with your patients has the potential to lower the chance of malpractice claims - even when mistakes are made.
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Key considerations in the new firearms licensing guidance
The new guidance for firearms licensing, including arrangements for medical checks for firearm certificates, came into effect in November last year in England and Wales, and on 31 January this year in Scotland. Ceylan Simsek, Case Manager, and Dr Karen Ellison, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, discuss the key considerations for GPs
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Commentary: A case of wrongful conception
Dr Beth Walker, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, analyses a recent case and looks at what it means for clinicians
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Providing support to refugee healthcare workers
Non-therapeutic circumcision - UK
Non-therapeutic circumcision of male children is carried out for religious or ritual reasons and is generally not available on the NHS.1 There is also a significant issue related to the appropriateness of the facilities in which the operation is carried out and a lack of formal training and certification in circumcision.
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Can I provide advice or prescribe medication to family and friends?
Can I provide advice or prescribe medication to family and friends?
Dr Gabrielle Pendlebury, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, looks at this increasingly common dilemma
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Mandatory vaccination for NHS staff
From 1 April 2022, vaccinations against COVID-19 will be mandatory for patient-facing health and care staff in England. Dr Heidi Mounsey, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, takes a closer look at what these changes mean
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Cauda equina and two versions of events
Experienced GP Dr N has her account of a cauda equina consultation challenged by the patient – how did Medical Protection help out in this case?
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Migraine misdiagnosis in child leads to claim
Repeated headaches in eight-year old Master J leads to a missed diagnosis and a claim against Dr P.
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Haemophilia claim questions scope of duty
GP Dr K faces a claim after a misunderstanding over the intention of some blood tests.
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Dishonesty allegation defended by remediation
Junior doctor Dr Z contacts Medical Protection for assistance when the Medical Council investigates her falsified notes.
Read moreStarting private practice
It is never too early to be thinking of whether you will undertake private work when you have secured your substantive consultant post. This is the first in a six-part guide to starting out in private practice to help you to hit the ground running when the time comes.
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Meet Clara Munro, from The BMJ’s new Doctor Informed podcast
Medical Protection speaks to Clara Munro, one of the creators and presenters of Doctor Informed, an upcoming podcast from The BMJ that aims to keep hospital doctors equipped with the skills to develop their daily practice.
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