MPS data shows inquests are most common enquiry from junior doctors

For many, it will be the first time they have been asked to write a report or attend a court to give evidence. They quite rightly want reassurance

Medical Protection Society (MPS) data for 2010 and 2011 show that foundation doctors’ most common reason for calling its advice line is for advice on inquests/fatal accident inquiries (FAIs).

More than 800 calls were made to MPS’s advice line in the last two years by foundation doctors seeking advice. Nearly 20% of calls related to advice regarding inquests¹.

Dr Angelique Mastihi, Medicolegal Adviser and Editor-in-Chief of MPS publication New Doctor says: “These findings are not surprising because, on average, MPS opens one case a week relating to foundation doctors and inquests. For many, it will be the first time they have been asked to write a report or attend a court to give evidence. They quite rightly want reassurance.

"If a doctor is required to attend an inquest and they are concerned for any reason, we would advise them to contact their MDO to discuss the case with a medicolegal adviser."

The type of advice that MPS provides include:

• How to write a report for the Coroner or Procurator Fiscal
• Addressing any concerns a doctor may have regarding the case
• What the inquest process entails
• Background information on inquests and FAIs, such as factsheets.

Foundation level doctors are always moving to different hospitals, so it is advisable for a doctor to leave a forwarding address with the legal department before they move on

Dr Mastihi also advises that doctors, especially those at foundation level, should be aware that inquests may not be held until many months after the patient’s death, so it may be quite some time before a request for attendance is made.

“Foundation level doctors are always moving to different hospitals, so it is advisable for a doctor to leave a forwarding address with the legal department before they move on. That way if a trust is notified that an inquest is taking place and they require a doctor to attend they will be able to contact them.”

Following inquests, the other top reasons why foundation doctors called MPS included enquiries about: complaints (12.8%), GMC matters (10.9%), writing reports (9.3%) and employment matters (8.9%).

More information

Please contact Gareth Cockman, Press Officer at MPS on +44 (0)207 399 1319 or email gareth.cockman@mps.org.uk for more information.

Notes to editors

1. Excluding ‘general advice’ which accounted for 273 calls (33.3%), the most common specific enquiry related to inquests with 19.4%.
2. All calls relate to foundation doctors based in the UK
3. FAIs relate to Scotland.

Further reading

See our article Collateral damage [New Doctor, Vol. 5 no. 1] for more information about how junior doctors use the MPS medicolegal advice line.