Booklets and handbooks

Practical advice on a variety of important medicolegal issues for doctors in the UK. 

These booklets and handbooks are produced as a resource for MPS members in the UK. They are intended as general guidance only.

MPS members are always welcome to telephone our medicolegal advice line – 0845 605 4000 – for more specific practical advice and support with medicolegal issues that may arise.

Alternatively, members may submit a medicolegal query online.

Booklets

Concise information of important medicolegal issues. Please select a booklet from the list below:

• A Culture of Openness – An MPS perspective
  This booklet sets out why we believe that a cultural shift is needed to achieve greater openness and trust with patients
   
• A Guide for Doctors on Handling the Media
  Advice for doctors on how to deal with attention from the media 
    
• A Guide to MPS membership
  An overview about MPS membership for all UK members
    
• Avoiding easy mistakes: Five medicolegal hazards for junior doctors
  An overview of the top five medicolegal hazards faced by junior doctors in everyday practice
    
• Common Problems – Managing the risks in general practice
  A guide for doctors in the early years of general practice
   
• Common Problems – Managing the risks in hospital practice
  A guide for doctors in the early years of hospital practice
   
• Complaints series
  A series of five booklets produced by MPS to help healthcare professionals understand the complaints process in the NHS
    
• Consent to Medical Treatment in the UK
  An overview of how to obtain valid consent from patients
   
• Medical records – An MPS guide
  An overview of keeping good quality records
   
• Signposting the CQC: Understanding your new registration
  A guide to assist doctors in meeting the CQC requirements.

Handbooks

More in-depth information for members in the UK. Please select a handbook from the list below:

• F2s in General Practice: An MPS Guide
  Advice on moving from a hospital to a GP rotation in your second foundation year
   
• GP Compass
  Comprehensive advice on avoiding medicolegal hazards in general practice
   
• Medical students: Fitness to practice - know where you stand
  In this booklet, we look at the main areas where mistakes can be made, and how to avoid things going wrong
   
• MPS Guide to Ethics – A map for the moral maze
  Twelve chapters covering the ethical principles that frame modern healthcare
   
• Preparing for your F1 post
  Information for doctors about to start their first foundation year, drawing on the experiences of other doctors and advice from our risk management professionals
   
• Taking Care: Making the Most of Your Consultant Post 
  Practical ideas and guidance for new consultants.