Good doctors apply clinical knowledge in a way that is legally and ethically correct – but all doctors can slip up. Here are survival tips for the top five medicolegal risks for junior doctors, writes Charlotte Hudson
If a patient dies and the death is reportable to the coroner, you should leave all equipment in place until you have discussed the case with the coroner’s officer. This factsheet gives you further information about what to do.
In Northern Ireland, unlike England and Wales, out-of-hours (OOH) organisations may expect GPs to carry and use controlled drugs (CDs) from their own stock. This factsheet highlights what you should be aware of when carrying, storing and recording controlled drugs.
As an expert you should be aiming to produce a report which is free standing – from which the reader can glean the key issues in the case, understand the evidence available and reach a clear understanding of the range of expert opinion, without needing to look at any other document.
One of the most difficult situations faced by any clinician is when you are concerned that a colleague’s behaviour, health or professional performance may be placing patients at risk. This factsheet outlines your duty to raise concerns when patients may be at risk of harm.
As a doctor, you may be asked to give evidence in many different types of tribunals, including criminal or civil courts, the coroner’s court and employment or mental health tribunals. This factsheet gives further information about what to expect and how to prepare.
The sooner you call MPS about an ethical or legal dilemma, the sooner the matter can be resolved. Professor Carol Seymour, Dr Tom Mosedale, Dr Richard Brittain and Sara Williams explore how and why Collateral-damage foundation doctors get into troubleCollateral-damage foundation doctors get into trouble
The path of a clinical negligence claim is often long and complex. The eventual outcome is affected by a number of key factors; MPS claims manager and solicitor Antoinette Coltsmann takes an in-depth look at a recent MPS case.
“On the first day of Christmas my Consultant said to me…” Christmas can be a challenging time for foundation doctors in hospitals. Medicolegal Adviser Dr Clare Redmond advises on how to survive the festive season.
Complaints in health and social care: standards and guidelines for resolution and learning (2009) aims to provide a simple, consistent approach for staff who handle complaints, and for patients who raise complaints across all health and social care services.
One incident can be investigated in a number of different ways – as a complaint, a clinical negligence claim, a criminal case, a disciplinary matter by your employer, a Coroner’s inquest or a complaint to the GMC. An important starting point is your written report on the circumstances of the incident. This factsheet gives more information about writing this report.
Patient safety in healthcare has never been more in the spotlight. Events such as the Stafford Hospital scandal and the subsequent Francis Report have raised awareness that at times patients receive suboptimal care.
The medical law and ethics that pertain to safe prescribing
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Dr Stephanie Bowm, MPS Director of Policy and Communications, provides a reminder of the importance of following GMC guidance when prescribing medication.
Parental 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.
Apart from certain treatments carried out under the Mental Health Act and some forms of fertility treatment, there is no legal requirement to obtain written consent, but most health organisations have policies stipulating when written consent should be obtained. Employees are expected to be familiar with these and adhere to them.
The GMC’s latest advice around social media has caused much debate. Here chair of the GMC, Professor Sir Peter Rubin responds to the criticism, and new GP Dr Laura Davison comments on the guidance
Read real-life cases of complaints, claims and clinical negligence taken from our archives.
Chosen to give you clear learning points to help you avoid similar situations and reduce your risk, the cases also feature advice from medicolegal experts.
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