Articles and features 04/04/2013 How to... Set up a Patient Participation Group Preview Article How to... Set up a Patient Participation Group Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview Stephanie Varah, Chief Executive of the National Association for Patient Participation (NAPP) shares the benefits of building a partnership with your patients Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Communication General practice GP locum Practice Matters Patients
Articles and features 04/04/2013 In the Hot Seat: Dr Ben Brown Preview Article In the Hot Seat: Dr Ben Brown Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview Would you like to have some say in shaping future GP training? The AiT Committee can help you do just that. Charlotte Hudson finds out more Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Training & cpd Professionalism Practice Matters General practice
Press release 03/04/2013 MPS survey on CCGs reveals 59% of GPs and Practice Managers see confl... Preview Article MPS survey on CCGs reveals 59% of GPs and Practice Managers see conflicts of interest as the main concern Time to read article: 1 mins Close Preview A survey of healthcare professionals by medical indemnity provider the Medical Protection Society (MPS) has revealed concerns that Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) will expose doctors to accusations of conflicting interests as the role of GP changes. Read more Article contains Text
Articles and features 01/04/2013 Healthcare assistants Preview Article Healthcare assistants Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview In this alert Julie Price, MPS’s Clinical Risk Programme Manager, highlights the risk of healthcare assistants performing immunisations Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Negligence General practice GP locum Managing clinical risk Compliance
Factsheet 01/04/2013 Safeguarding children FAQs - Wales Preview Article Safeguarding children FAQs - Wales Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview The GMC states that “doctors play a crucial role in protecting children from abuse and neglect”. Child maltreatment includes neglect and physical, sexual and emotional abuse. The following frequently asked questions are designed to advise MPS members what to do and who to contact, should they suspect children are at risk of, or are experiencing, harm. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Patients Data Protection Generic Medicine Wales Ethics
Factsheet 01/04/2013 Guide to writing expert reports - Scotland Preview Article Guide to writing expert reports - Scotland Time to read article: 1 mins Close Preview As an expert you should be aiming to produce a report which is free standing – from which the reader can glean the key issues in the case, understand the evidence available and reach a clear understanding of the range of expert opinion, without needing to look at any other document. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Claims Scotland Generic Medicine Communication Investigations Use Guidelines
Articles and features 01/04/2013 Ask the expert Preview Article Ask the expert Time to read article: 4 mins Close Preview Some years ago we teamed up with the UK’s leading provider of workplace advice to provide the Croner helpline to our Practice Xtra members. Louise Barnes, Senior Employment Consultant at Croner, reveals the top five workplace issues. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... GP locum General practice Compliance Practice Matters Human resources
Factsheet 01/04/2013 Consent – The basics - Wales Preview Article Consent – The basics - Wales Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview Respect for patients’ autonomy is expressed in consent law; to impose care or treatment on people without respecting their wishes and right to self-determination is not only unethical, but illegal. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Issues & conflict management Communication Consent Generic Medicine Medical Records Use Guidelines
Factsheet 01/04/2013 Safeguarding children - Scotland Preview Article Safeguarding children - Scotland Time to read article: 4 mins Close Preview The GMC states that “Whether or not you have vulnerable children or young people as patients, you should consider their needs and welfare and offer them help if you think their rights have been abused or denied.” Surgery consultations, home visits, accident and emergency admissions and contact with other professionals who work with children help to build up a picture of a child’s situation. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Ethics Confidentiality Data Protection Scotland Consent Generic Medicine
01/04/2013 Safe prescribing Preview Article Safe prescribing Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview Medication errors account for approximately 20% of all clinical negligence claims against doctors in both primary and secondary care. The costs associated with adverse events and inappropriate prescribing has been estimated at more than £750 million per year. This factsheet gives advice about avoiding prescribing errors. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Prescribing Managing clinical risk
Press release 26/03/2013 MPS maintains that a culture of openness is more effective than ‘tick... Preview Article MPS maintains that a culture of openness is more effective than ‘tick box’ legislation Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview Following the Government’s response to the Francis report today, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) is pleased that time and care is being taken to consider whether a statutory duty of candour on individuals should be introduced. However, MPS continues to highlight its belief that high quality and effective openness in healthcare can only be achieved through a cultural shift, not legislation. Read more Article contains Text
Press release 25/03/2013 Good Medical Practice means doctors never off duty – MPS response to... Preview Article Good Medical Practice means doctors never off duty – MPS response to GMC guidance Time to read article: 1 mins Close Preview Commenting on the General Medical Council’s (GMC) updated version of Good Medical Practice, published today (25 March), Dr Stephanie Bown, Director of Policy and Communications at the Medical Protection Society (MPS) said, 'Upholding professional values is at the heart of the GMC’s guidance and it’s only right that doctors take the lead in ensuring high quality, safe care, especially for vulnerable patients. Read more Article contains Text
Press release 22/03/2013 Prostate cancer is the sixth most common cancer claim, says MPS Preview Article Prostate cancer is the sixth most common cancer claim, says MPS Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview As March is Prostate Cancer Awareness month, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) is reminding GPs to keep the disease front of mind, especially as there is no national screening for prostate cancer, which is predicted to become UK’s most common cancer by 2030. Read more Article contains Text
Factsheet 01/03/2013 Controlled drugs - Wales Preview Article Controlled drugs - Wales Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview Under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations (2001), GPs have a responsibility for controlled drugs (CDs) within their practice. This factsheet highlights what you should be aware of when carrying, storing and recording controlled drugs. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Prescribing General practice Managing clinical risk Use Guidelines Issues & conflict management Wales
Press release 19/02/2013 Technology highlighted as a key factor across risks in general practices Preview Article Technology highlighted as a key factor across risks in general practices Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview Technology highlighted as a key factor across risks in general practices The top risks in general practice have been identified based on data collected by the Medical Protection Society (MPS) from more than 120 general practices in the UK. Read more Article contains Text
Press release 15/02/2013 Online medical records a ‘Pandora’s Box’ – MPS survey reveals securit... Preview Article Online medical records a ‘Pandora’s Box’ – MPS survey reveals security fears Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview Following a survey of doctors and the public, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) compares the plans for online medical records to opening a ‘Pandora’s Box’, unless there are proper safeguards in place to protect patient confidentiality. The organisation is concerned that when access is granted, it could have unintended and severe consequences, such as sensitive information being accessed by a patient’s family members. Read more Article contains Text
Articles and features 15/02/2013 Ask MPS Preview Article Ask MPS Time to read article: 6 mins Close Preview While working in psychiatry Dr Sarah Clarke sought MPS advice about mental capacity issues in relation to her patient Mrs H. Here’s her story Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... New Doctor
Articles and features 04/02/2013 Hot topic: Consent for audio or visual recordings Preview Article Hot topic: Consent for audio or visual recordings Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview Consent for taking photographs and making recordings is vital, explains MPS medicolegal adviser Dr Pallavi Bradshaw. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Scotland New Doctor Northern Ireland Wales GP locum England
Articles and features 04/02/2013 Top five medical apps for foundation doctors Preview Article Top five medical apps for foundation doctors Time to read article: 1 mins Close Preview Dr Josephine Neale, an F2 from Warwickshire, has done the app work so you do not have to. Here are her top five apps for new doctors Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Communication Managing clinical risk Issues & conflict management New Doctor
Articles and features 16/01/2013 Dilemma: DNAR orders Preview Article Dilemma: DNAR orders Time to read article: 4 mins Close Preview Dr Jonny Morris describes a tricky scenario of a patient with a do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) order. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Decision Making New Doctor Managing clinical risk End of Life Care Casebook
Articles and features 13/01/2013 Think that only incompetent doctors get referred to the GMC? Think ag... Preview Article Think that only incompetent doctors get referred to the GMC? Think again… Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview Dr Richard Stacey looks at a wide range of factors that could lead to a GMC hearing... Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Professionalism Generic Medicine Patients Reputation management Managing clinical risk
Factsheet 09/01/2013 Access to medical reports - Scotland Preview Article Access to medical reports - Scotland Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview Doctors may, on occasion, receive a request from a patient’s employer for a medical report to be delivered directly to the HR department, without the patient seeing it. However, before any medical report can be provided, you must be satisfied that the patient has given valid consent to the release of the information. This factsheet looks at the issues surrounding medical reports for employers and other organisations, and offers advice to doctors who are asked to write reports. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Scotland Ethics Consent Generic Medicine Medical Records Human resources
06/01/2013 NHS complaints procedure – Second Stage Complaints Preview Article NHS complaints procedure – Second Stage Complaints Time to read article: 1 mins Close Preview The second stage is where the complaint is not resolved in the practice and the complainant asks for an Independent Review by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Complaints CQC compliance Negligence Generic Medicine Scotland
Press release 04/01/2013 Parents at war over child’s medical records – MPS reveals figures on... Preview Article Parents at war over child’s medical records – MPS reveals figures on ‘Divorce Day’ Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview The Medical Protection Society (MPS) reveals the rising number of calls on parents warring over a child’s medical records – a record 179 calls last year – on ‘Divorce Day’ (4 January). The figures work out at one phone call every other day from GPs seeking advice from MPS. Read more Article contains Text