This guide helps equip medical practitioners build understanding of issues and manage risks around patient consent, and when to contact us for help.

Medical Protection sets out guidance on factors that members will need to consider regarding GP collective action

Medical Protection Society (MPS) has recently submitted our response to the review of Good medical practice carried out by the General Medical Council (GMC) .

Edward Leigh of The Center for Healthcare Communication argues that good communication with your patients has the potential to lower the chance of malpractice claims - even when mistakes are made.

Dr Sarah Coope, Senior Medical Educator at Medical Protection, looks at the gaps in information, misunderstandings and assumptions that can increase the risk of errors, conflict and complaints

As the GMC updates its prescribing guidance, Dr Sophie Haroon, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, looks at some common causes of claims and provides advice on avoiding the pitfalls

Navigating the legal background and providing practical advice for doctors, Ricky Kimachia, advisory case manager at Medical Protection, considers recent queries from members regarding testamentary capacity.

Mental capacity is the ability to make a decision. If a person lacks capacity, they have an impairment or disturbance that leaves them unable to make a decision. A patient’s capacity to make decisions about their own care is a fundamental part of matters relating to end of life care

If you have ever been unfortunate enough to receive a letter of claim, you will be aware of how stressful the process can be. Another aspect is the often high sums of money involved. Stephen Preater, costs adviser at Medical Protection, is part of an expert in-house team that is dedicated to controlling the amounts sought by claimants

We have made a list of the things to remember when it comes to making and retaining good patient records.

I wake up bolt upright at 5.30am. I look in the mirror and realise I’ve inadvertently left my false eyelashes on from the previous day’s telly. They hang rather precariously from my upper lids – my mascara is half way down my cheeks and my hair is doing a good impersonation of Jedward. My husband rolls over and states that I look like a drag queen and promptly falls back to sleep.

A number of MPS members have contacted us as they have received letters from a firm of solicitors, Messrs BLM, in relation to expert work carried out on behalf of the National Health Service Litigation Authority (NHSLA).

In April, the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Act 2015 came into force in England and Wales. It sets out some additional factors that a court must consider when assessing a negligence claim or alleged breach of duty.