The CQC’s new regulations introduce the new fundamental standards, detailed below.

Complaints to the regulator against doctors have hit a record high, rising more sharply than for any other health professional. Is this down to poor practice or a changing complaints culture? Sara Williams investigates

All doctors know that maintaining confidentiality is an important part of building up trust with patients. Here, Dr Stephanie Bown examines the medicolegal aspects of confidentiality

Good Medical Practice advises doctors that they must be honest and trustworthy when signing forms, reports and other documents. It also requires doctors to make sure that any documents they write or sign are not false or misleading

Legible notes must be kept primarily to assist the patient when receiving treatment. But, secondly, should there be any future litigation against your hospital the notes will form the basis of the hospital’s defence. Notes are a reflection of the quality of care given so get into the habit of writing comprehensive and contemporaneous notes.

MPS medicolegal adviser Dr Pallavi Bradshaw flags changes to approved practice settings for F2s

The Olympic Games is a major event in the world’s sporting and cultural calendar. Almost inevitably, a number of Medical Protection members may be travelling to Brazil to attend the Rio do Janeiro Games.

The Care.data programme that was due to be rolled out in 2014 was delayed following criticism of the way the information campaign supporting it was implemented.

The CQC is the regulator for health and social care in England. It monitors, inspects and regulates general practices to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety.

You can get direct assistance from Medical Protection by requesting a Clinical Risk Self Assessment (CRSA), which is a systematic approach that identifies risk and develops practical solutions, as one of the benefits of membership. Our experience has been that a CRSA is invaluable in assisting practices in preparing for their CQC inspection and also post-CQC inspection, to assist with issues raised by the CQC inspector.

The CQC wants to define what good quality care looks like in order to be able to effectively inspect and rate practices.

The GMC has revised its Confidentiality guidance for all doctors practising in the UK

The GMC has revised its Confidentiality guidance and this will come into force on 25 April 2017. Medicolegal Adviser Dr Rachel Birch explains what doctors need to know about the changes

If I accidentally bump into someone and hurt them walking along the street, my immediate reaction is to say sorry, regardless of whether it was or wasn’t my fault. What happens when we place a similar analogy into a doctor/patient context?

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.

The importance of good, clear and thorough medical records cannot be underestimated - not only do they ensure the smooth running of your day-to-day life in practice; they might prove invaluable in the event of a claim.

The GMC has issued a statement to doctors who may be asked to cover rota gaps which they feel they cannot safely cover.

The BMA has announced further industrial action in its ongoing dispute with the Department of Health over the proposed junior doctor contracts. The first ‘emergency care only’ action is to take place 6 – 8 April, with full withdrawal of labour on 26 and 27 April.

Good medical records – whether electronic or handwritten – are essential for the continuity of care of your patients. The notes will also form the basis of the hospital’s defence should there be any future litigation against your hospital.