A wall of silence after an adverse incident can compound mistrust
MPS is a discretionary mutual society, not an insurance company. Members can ask us for advice or assistance with any medicolegal problem arising from their clinical practice and requesting help is as simple as picking up the phone or writing us a letter or email.
Apologies and explanations
In our experience, complaints arise because patients are unhappy and this is often due to poor communication. Once the facts have been established, we advocate a policy of full and open communication. An explanation may be all that is needed to reassure a patient and avoid any escalation.
A wall of silence after an adverse incident can compound mistrust, and provoke formal complaints and legal action. If it is clear that something has gone wrong, an apology is called for, and it should be forthcoming. contrary to popular belief, apologies tend to prevent formal complaints rather than the reverse. We can advise members on how to handle such a situation.
Cosmetic/aesthetic practice
MPS defines cosmetic/aesthetic procedures as those which have as their primary purpose the alteration of the non-pathological external appearance of a patient.
Members who carry out cosmetic/aesthetic procedures should ensure that this is carried out in an appropriate clinical setting, after appropriate training and in compliance with all relevant guidelines, including those of manufacturers. Members who are not accredited plastic surgeons must contact the Membership Helpline on 0845 718 7187 before undertaking such work. Calls to Membership Services may be recorded for monitoring and training purposes.
Complementary/alternative medicine
A member who offers patients complementary treatments should only undertake procedures that are in the patient’s best interests
We recognise that complementary medicine can be beneficial to patients and do not wish to inhibit members from providing recognised treatments.
However, if a member offers patients complementary treatments, they should only undertake procedures that are in the patient’s best interests and for which they have the requisite skills, training and facilities.
In the event of a claim, complaint or other legal challenge, the member must be able to demonstrate that they were acting in accordance with recognised medical practice, and that experts in the field would support that form of management.
If the member offers alternative forms of medicine, they must notify us of the technique employed within their practice and answer any supplementary questions.
Working in another country
Members who plan to work overseas must check with our Membership Helpline on 0845 718 7187 before they travel to ensure that they have appropriate indemnity arrangements. This is particularly important because some countries – for example, Australia and Germany – have made it a requirement that all healthcare practitioners have insurance-based indemnity.