Thinking of a career in emergency general surgery? Read Dr Mike Davies' account of working in ESGU.

Advancements in medical technology can bring huge benefits for patients and clinicians alike – but new approaches can also mean new risks. Dr Helen Hartley, Head of Underwriting Policy at Medical Protection, looks at where the liability lies for artificial intelligence.

On 10 July 2018, NHS England restricted the use of mesh. Read our position and guidance for members on this issue.

Dr Peter Mackenzie, Head of Membership Governance at MPS, looks at the reasons why claims in a range of surgical specialties are settled

Consent is a fundamental principle of medical law. The basic rule is simple: no-one has the right to touch anyone else without lawful excuse and if doctors do so it may well undermine patients’ trust.

Any doctor who specialises in a particular field would be expected to keep up-todate in that area. This would apply to all fields of medicine. Surgeons with a special interest would be expected to keep up-to-date with developments both in the field of general surgery and their area of special interest.

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.

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This workshop has been developed to help nurses who are working in specialist roles to increase awareness of the potential for things to go wrong and to practice safely, particularly with regards to prescribing.

Dr Caroline Whymark describes her first day in theatre.

James Tomlinson, a simulation fellow in surgery, argues that we need to look outside the medical world to enhance our understanding and utilisation of simulation training

In 2007 Clare Bowen’s five-year-old daughter Beth died during surgery at a hospital in the UK. Here she tells her story to Sara Dawson – and relays her hopes that it will reduce the likelihood of such an incident happening again

Patient safety in healthcare has never been more in the spotlight. Events such as the Stafford Hospital scandal and the subsequent Francis Report have raised awareness that at times patients receive suboptimal care.