Commenting on the GMC’s State of Medical Education and Practice in the UK report
The GMC is right to acknowledge the 'state of unease in the profession’- patient expectations are changing and GPs are more likely to be sued now than ever before. It is important to strike a balance between holding doctors to account and reducing unnecessary pressures.
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Risk alert: Advice on administering flu vaccinations
Several members have contacted us with queries regarding flu vaccinations; primarily which practice colleagues can administer these, and what safeguarding should be in place if so.
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'Dr Google' in the patient chair
There is no escaping the fact that ‘Dr Google’ is becoming more and more influential in GP consultations. At Medical Protection, we commissioned a YouGov online survey of 2021 British adults to look at the pros and cons of seeking medical advice from the internet.
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Delays on applications to the National Performers List
We are aware that some members who have recently qualified as GPs are experiencing delays in their application to have their status amended on the National Performers List. This is leading to some confusion as to whether they can continue to work while waiting for their status to be changed.
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Almost one in two (47%) use ‘Dr Google’ before GP consultations
MPS response to the GMC’s consultation on the UK List of Registered Medical Practitioners development
Dealing with non-compliant patients - Scotland
“Respect for the autonomous choices of persons runs as deep in common morality as any principle.” – TL Beauchamp and JF Childress, Principles of Biomedical Ethics (2001)
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Use of social media - England
The General Medical Council (GMC) guidelines Doctors’ use of social media establish the standards expected from every doctor practising in the UK. The guide details the principles of conduct for using social media and explains how doctors can put these principles into practice.
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Clinical negligence claims will now cost public purse a staggering £56.1bn
Use of social media - Scotland
The General Medical Council (GMC) guidelines Doctors’ use of social media establish the standards expected from every doctor practising in the UK.
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Use of social media - Northern Ireland
The General Medical Council (GMC) guidelines Doctors’ use of social media, establish the standards expected from every doctor practising in the UK.
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Mental Capacity Act 2005 – Assessing capacity
The Mental Capacity Act states that a person lacks capacity if they are unable to make a specific decision, at a specific time, because of an impairment of, or disturbance, in the functioning of mind or brain. This factsheet sets out the things to look for when assessing the capacity of a patient.
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Mental Capacity Act 2005 – General principles - England and Wales
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (the Act) aims to protect people who lack capacity, and maximise their ability to make decisions or participate in decision-making. The Act is underpinned by five statutory principles. This factsheet sets out these principles and how they should be applied.
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Safe prescribing - Scotland
Medication errors account for approximately 20% of all clinical negligence claims against doctors in both primary and secondary care. The costs associated with adverse events and inappropriate prescribing has been estimated at more than £750 million per year. This factsheet gives advice about avoiding prescribing errors.
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Parental responsibility - Northern Ireland
Parental responsibility is a legal term which refers to all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his/ her property.
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43% of the public believe £1 million or less was paid out by NHS for clinical negligence last year – actual amount over £1.1 billion
Missed or delayed diagnosis of cancer the most common reason for high value claims - Medical Protection
Consent – The basics - Northern Ireland
Respect for patients’ autonomy is expressed in consent law; to impose care or treatment on people without respecting their wishes and right to self-determination is not only unethical, but illegal. The approach to consent in Northern Ireland is currently governed by common law.
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Medical records - Northern Ireland
Good medical records – whether electronic or handwritten – are essential for the continuity of care of your patients. Adequate medical records enable you or somebody else to reconstruct the essential parts of each patient contact without reference to memory. They should therefore be comprehensive enough to allow a colleague to carry on where you left off.
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Removing patients from the practice list - Northern Ireland
Removing patients from the practice list is an emotive issue, risking criticism from bodies such as the Northern Ireland Ombudsman, the General Medical Council (GMC) and the media and should only be used after careful consideration and as a last resort.
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Consent – Children and young people - Northern Ireland
Valid consent is just as important when treating children and young people as it is with adults. In some situations children are able to give consent themselves, and sometimes others need to take the decision on their behalf. This factsheet sets out the basic information to enable you to obtain the appropriate consent from children and young people.
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Access to medical reports - Northern Ireland
Doctors may, on occasion, receive a request from a patient’s employer, an insurer or from a government department, for a medical report to be delivered directly to the relevant department, without the patient seeing it.
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