Advice centre

Cauda equina is the source of some of the highest value claims against Medical Protection members. This case report highlights how important it is to keep an eye out for the ‘red flags’ associated with the syndrome.

Problems arising from an employee’s capability are frequently issues which can hinder the smooth running of any operation. Dealing with such issues in a timely and legally compliant manner can stave off many long term problems. However it can be a tricky area to get right legally with many potential hurdles to overcome. The following are some questions and answers on the topic of capability Croner has received to its advice lines from practice managers.

Dr Iain Barclay, Medical Protection Head of Underwriting Policy, examines what conditions are responsible for some of the highest claims against members in general practice

When Mrs C, a keen golfer in her early forties, began to experience constant pain in her lower back, she consulted a GP at her local surgery. Dr P took a history of slow onset of pain with restricted mobility. He did not examine her, but prescribed an NSAID and advised Mrs C to return in two weeks if there was no improvement.

A recent report from the CQC has highlighted where general practice could improve in the provision of end of life care. Dr Rachel Birch, Practice Matters Editor-in-Chief, offers advice on how to put the CQC recommendations into practice.

We have teamed up with NHS Improvement for a new series of risk warnings based on data from the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS), the NHS’s national database of patient safety incidents in England and Wales. Each article will tackle a different risk commonly reported to the NRLS. In this issue we tackle a commonly reported incident type, medication errors associated with anticoagulants.

Medicolegal Adviser Dr Gordon McDavid answers some of the most common social media queries we receive from practices

Under the Pensions Act 2008, every employer in the UK must put certain staff into a pension scheme and contribute towards it. Whether you’re a hairdresser, an architect or a partner in general practice, if you employ at least one person you are an employer and you have certain legal duties.

This case demonstrates some of the risks practices face when working at scale, and the importance of ensuring effective systems and communication across practices.