Two in three doctors believe there is still a blame and shame culture in the NHS, MPS survey reveals
Time to read article: 2 mins
Close Preview
A Medical Protection Society (MPS) survey of more than 500 UK members, including GPs, consultants and non-consultant hospital doctors, revealed that two in three doctors (68%) believe there is a blame and shame culture in the NHS, and that it will be difficult to overcome this. This compares with 66% of respondents to the same survey conducted in 2011, indicating that there has not been a positive culture change in four years.
Confidentiality – Disclosures without consent - Wales
Time to read article: 6 mins
Close Preview
Certain circumstances can mean you are obliged to disclose information about a patient, even if you do not have their consent; under other circumstances, disclosure may be justifiable. This factsheet gives you further information about these circumstances.
New regulations from the Competition and Markets Authority
Time to read article: 1 mins
Close Preview
A new Order from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) came into force on 6 April 2015 following an investigation into the independent healthcare market.
The Namibia desert between Luderwitz and Walvis Bay has the highest sand dunes and the lowest average precipitation in the world. There are no permanent inhabitants – it’s simply too hot.
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
Legal costs dwarfing compensation – MPS calls for action to address cost of clinical negligence
Time to read article: 2 mins
Close Preview
The Medical Protection Society (MPS) is calling on the next government to prioritise reform of the legal system to drive down the cost of clinical negligence. MPS believes introducing fixed costs for small value claims and a reform of the rules relating to claimants’ expert reports will help make clinical negligence more affordable.
Senior doctors are a great source of support, say newly qualified doctors
Time to read article: 1 mins
Close Preview
As new doctors start their careers on hospital wards, a Medical Protection survey of over 500 doctors who have just completed their first year has revealed that 89% felt that they had some support. Of those, 91% said they received support from senior doctors, while 64% said they also received support from nurses.
Consulting on the telephone requires a different skill-set, relying on common sense and improvisation. Learning how to do this effectively is necessary to safeguard patients and your professional position, says GP and popular author Dr Tony Males
An important starting point is your written report on the circumstances of the incident. This factsheet gives more information about writing this report.
One incident can be investigated in a number of different ways – as a complaint, a clinical negligence claim, a criminal case, a disciplinary matter by your employer, a Coroner’s inquest or a complaint to the GMC.
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.
Needlestick injuries can be classified as any piercing wound caused by a hypodermic needle, or by other sharp instruments or objects such as scalpels, mounted needles, broken glassware, etc. This factsheet sets out the main concerns for healthcare professionals and what to do when needlestick injuries happen.
MPS backs Health Minister's withdrawal of support for Medical Innovation Bill
Time to read article: 1 mins
Close Preview
MPS has long called for a full and proper review to examine what the potential barriers to innovation might be as well as solutions. We are pleased the government has listened.
88% of GPs believe they are more likely to be sued now than five years ago
Time to read article: 2 mins
Close Preview
A Medical Protection Society (MPS) survey of 600 GP members reveals that 88% of respondents believe they are more likely to be sued now than five years ago.
Providing access to medical records is essentially a confidentiality issue; therefore, the starting point is whether or not the patient has consented to disclosure. If not, access should be denied, unless there is some other clear justification for allowing access.
Read real-life cases of complaints, claims and clinical negligence taken from our archives.
Chosen to give you clear learning points to help you avoid similar situations and reduce your risk, the cases also feature advice from medicolegal experts.
You'll notice a few things have changed on our website. After asking our members what they want in an online platform, we've made it easier to access our membership benefits and created a more personalised user experience.
Why not take our quick 60-second tour? We'll show you how it all works and it should only take a minute.
