Editor-in-Chief and MLA (medicolegal adviser) Dr Rachel Birch answers some recent queries from practices.

Data from the NHS National Reporting and Learning System shows that more than 800 reported patient safety incidents relate to test result management.

Dr Rachel Birch shares a recent case, where a member asked for advice on how to deal with a request from a patient to record his consultations

How can employing a clinical pharmacist help your practice?

Try these sample AKT questions provided by Dr Mahibur Rahman from Emedica

Try these sample AKT questions provided by Dr Mahibur Rahman from Emedica

Try these sample AKT questions provided by Dr Mahibur Rahman from Emedica

MPS has seen a steady rise in the number of claims involving practice nurses, with ‘delay in diagnosis’ being the most common type of claim. Kate Taylor, Clinical Risk Manager, MPS Educational Services, reveals more

Sessional GP and MPS medicolegal consultant Dr Rachel Birch shares a case scenario about a patient who stalked her GP

A common question in general practice: “Ms P’s fit note runs out on Monday – can you do her another one?” Your answer should be considered carefully as the following case illustrates, explains Dr Rachel Birch, GP and medicolegal adviser at MPS

I wake up bolt upright at 5.30am. I look in the mirror and realise I’ve inadvertently left my false eyelashes on from the previous day’s telly. They hang rather precariously from my upper lids – my mascara is half way down my cheeks and my hair is doing a good impersonation of Jedward. My husband rolls over and states that I look like a drag queen and promptly falls back to sleep.

General practice is an increasingly challenging and high-risk environment in which to practise medicine. Chief Executive Simon Kayll, explains how we assess those risks and calculate GP membership subscriptions

Endurance athlete and GP Dr Andrew Murray reflects on working in Mongolia and why he decided to run from Scotland to the Sahara

In this issue we share a case where a locum GP raised concerns about patient safety in a practice he had worked at for three months

Prescribing can be a risky business, especially when prescribing for different kinds of patients such as older people or children who can be particularly vulnerable. Charlotte Hudson talks about the risks and what you can do to make sure you avoid them.

Dr Euan Lawson, a locum GP from Cumbria, explains why every GP, including locums, should have an open door when not consulting.

Recruitment is becoming harder these days so to attract the best staff it’s worth spending a bit of time to write a great advert for your vacancy. If you create a template, some information will stay the same no matter what role you are advertising.

We have written to invite a member of staff to a formal capability hearing after a period of informal professional support. He is now off work sick. What is the appropriate course of action for us?

Brain cancer accounts for quarter of all childhood cancers, yet many GPs may still not have experience of the condition. Dr Rachel Birch outlines a case where diagnosis could have been made earlier

Medicolegal Adviser Dr Marika Davies explains how to maintain professionalism when dealing with trivial requests from patients

CQC compliance topped a recent Medical Protection survey of practice managers’ main concerns. We profile a practice who were recently inspected by the CQC, and interview two inspection managers about how practices can prepare for the process

Flexible working was introduced to help employees achieve a better 'work-life' balance. Croner frequently answer questions on their advice line from practices about flexible working

Charlotte Hudson, deputy editor of Practice Matters, interviews Nick Giles, area operations manager for the One Medical group - The Light, Leeds, about the secret to the practice's success.

The key to resolving many complaints is handling them early on at a local level. Terri Bonnici, MPS medical complaints adviser, presents a case study showing what could happen if you don’t get to grips with a complaint in the early stages.