Seven Steps to Patient Safety welcomed by Medical Protection Society

The Medical Protection Society (MPS) – which represents around half of all GPs in the UK – is committed to working with its members through education to prevent avoidable harm to patients and has a wealth of experience and expertise in helping doctors when things go wrong. MPS welcomes the launch (12/06/09) of the National Patient Safety Agency’s (NPSA) guide; Seven Steps to Patient Safety in General Practice as patient safety is at the core of what MPS does.

Dr Stephanie Bown, MPS Director of Policy and Communications, says, “Enhancing safe patient care is on everyone’s agenda and our experience tells us that GPs want to be the best they can for their patients. The majority of patients within the NHS are treated in primary care and that’s why guidance like this for GPs is vital.”

“MPS is committed to assisting healthcare professionals reduce the risk of harm to patients and improve the quality of care provided. Since the beginning of this year we have worked with general practices to carry out over 50 in-depth reviews of potential risks, called Clinical Risk Self-Assessments (CRSAs).”

CRSAs offer an opportunity for all members of the team – GPs, managers, nurses, receptionists and therapists – to work together, talk openly and develop practical solutions that promote safer practice.

In a study of 500 of its CRSAs, conducted over a period of seven years, MPS found that 95% of practices had risks associated with maintaining confidentiality; 92% risks associated with prescribing, and 85% risks around communication. While 84% of practices had related to record keeping, test results also featured, with 84% showing risks in this area. Infection control was demonstrated to be a risk for 71% of practices and 82% recorded risks around staff training.

General practice brings with it the challenges of balancing limited resources, large patient populations and managing multi-disciplinary teams.

Dr Stephanie Bown adds, “GPs practice in an increasingly complex medicolegal environment and we believe that they can be supported through education and risk management tools to achieve the highest levels of patient care.”

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Notes to editors

MPS provides its members with access to education and risk management materials based on wide-ranging experience and a practical understanding of the environment in which members practise. This includes publications covering issues of consent, confidentiality, safe prescribing, good communications, report writing and the NHS complaints procedure.