Medical Protection responds to the GMC’s ‘State of Medical Education and Practice in the UK’ 2015 report
Medical Protection welcomes the insights which can be drawn from the General Medical Council’s (GMC) ‘State of Medical Education and Practice in the UK’ 2015 report.1 The report highlighted that of 2,750 complaints that the GMC investigated in 2014, 1,428 closed without further action. This means that more than half of all complaints that the GMC investigated closed with no further action on the practitioner. It was also reported that the average GMC case length was 6.2 months.
Read moreMPS response to GMC State of Medical Education and Practice report
The General Medical Council’s State of Medical Education and Practice 2017 report has been published today. Commenting, Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, Senior Medicolegal Adviser at the Medical Protection Society, said: “This report shows that the vast majority of GMC investigations are closed without action, the end result being that over a thousand doctors go through a needless, stressful and slow process each year...
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Case study - Anatomy of a complaint
Back pain, paraplegia and a series of complaints – how Medical Protection helped at every step.
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MPS response to Justice Committee report on discount rate
Expert advice to avoid claims and complaints
We can provide you with expert advice on a wide range of topic areas, doctor to doctor, over the phone, via email or through our extensive online resources.
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Dealing with complaints
Kirsty Plowman considers how complaints can affect you and offers tips for tackling any you may receive
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MPS response to the GMC’s consultation on the UK List of Registered Medical Practitioners development
Medical Protection reminds members of its position on apologies
Following the launch of the Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) report titled General practice complaint handling across England: a thematic review, which was released today in collaboration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), NHS England and Health Watch, Medical Protection reminds members of its position on apologies.
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NHS complaints procedure - Wales
New regulations on NHS complaints in Wales came into force on 1 April 2011. The regulations, along with guidance, are designed to make complaints handling open and accountable, fair and proportionate, and patient-focused – with a view to seeking continuous improvement.
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MPS responds to Professional Standards Authority's report on Rethinking Regulation
NHS LA triennial report: Action needed to drive down cost of clinical negligence, says MPS
NHS LA triennial report: Action needed to drive down cost of clinical negligence, says MPS In response to the Department of Health’s triennial review of the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA), the Medical Protection Society (MPS) is pleased that the cost of clinical negligence is recognised as an issue but wants to see a debate on the merits of a limit on future earnings and future care costs
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NHS liabilities of £28.3bn are unaffordable, reform needed says MPS
In response to the NHS LA’s estimates that £28.3bn will be needed to cover known and future claims for clinical negligence for past patient care – up by 10% on last year – the Medical Protection Society (MPS) urges the government to prioritise reform of the legal system.
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Poor complaints handling
The key to resolving many complaints is handling them early on at a local level. Terri Bonnici, MPS medical complaints adviser, presents a case study showing what could happen if you don’t get to grips with a complaint in the early stages.
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Removing patients from the practice list
Removing patients from the practice list is an emotive issue, risking criticism from bodies such as the Ombudsman, the GMC and the media, and should only be used as a last resort. The reasons for removing a patient from the list can be varied, but it should not be in response to patients lodging a complaint or failing to comply with treatment. Nor should it be used purely because a patient is highly demanding, offers criticisms or questions his/her treatment.
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Making the complaints process easier
MPS Complaints Adviser Sue Taylor explains how using the NHS Complaints Advocacy Service can help practices
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Report writing - England
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.
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Report writing - Scotland
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 Procurator Fiscal’s FAI or a complaint to the GMC. An important starting point is your written report on the circumstances of the incident. This factsheet gives more information about writing this report.
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Clinical negligence claims – What to expect - Scotland
A clinical negligence claim is a demand for financial compensation for alleged harm caused by substandard clinical care. Common reasons for claims include failure or delay in diagnosis, or incorrect treatment. In fact, many claims arise out of poor communication. This factsheet outlines the main stages in the legal process of a claim and what it means for you. If you receive a complaint, and this is not being dealt with by your NHS or other employer, you should contact MPS immediately.
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MPS says the Medical Innovation Bill is unnecessary
In response to the recent Legislation to encourage Medical Innovation Dr Nick Clements, Head of Medical Services at MPS said, "The Bill is unnecessary. Current law already allows doctors acting responsibly to innovate without fear of clinical negligence claims, provided they have the support of a responsible body of peers and the patient’s informed consent. The Bill gives false reassurance to doctors over their legal position and could undermine clinical trials therefore disrupting medical research.
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