Articles and features 04/09/2019 Presumed consent for organ donation: what’s changing where? Preview Article Presumed consent for organ donation: what’s changing where? Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview In a recent Medical Protection survey almost a third of doctors questioned were not comfortable discussing organ donation with a patient. With different laws across the UK and further changes imminent, this is maybe not surprising Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Communication Decision Making Consent New Doctor
Articles and features 29/08/2019 Should I report that my patient is unfit to drive? Preview Article Should I report that my patient is unfit to drive? Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview Medical Protection advice line often receives queries from doctors concerned about patients that are driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Kate Cowan, advisory case manager, shares our advice. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Confidentiality Communication
Articles and features 16/08/2019 Can your practice staff also be your patients? Preview Article Can your practice staff also be your patients? Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview Situations where a doctor is both an employer and the treating clinician of a patient are problematic and should be avoided. Sarah Pickering, advisory case manager at Medical Protection, looks at a recent query from the advice line Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... General practice Confidentiality Prescribing
Articles and features 16/08/2019 Medical Protection successfully defends GP practice in fatal sepsis case Preview Article Medical Protection successfully defends GP practice in fatal sepsis case Time to read article: 4 mins Close Preview Medical Protection litigation solicitor Suzanne Tate looks at a claim involving a missed diagnosis of sepsis and the work of Medical Protection in successfully defending seven GP members Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Claims Successful Defence Competence Decision Making
Press release 09/08/2019 Medical Protection calls for the creation of a national coroner servi... Preview Article Medical Protection calls for the creation of a national coroner service in England and Wales Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview Medical Protection has called on the new Lord Chancellor to prioritise the creation of a national coroner service in England and Wales. Read more Article contains Text
Press release 06/08/2019 Nine out of ten trainee doctors said they do not have someone at work... Preview Article Nine out of ten trainee doctors said they do not have someone at work solely responsible for staff wellbeing Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview A Medical Protection survey of doctors has highlighted concerns about staff wellbeing, with junior doctors feeling the least prioritised by their line managers/partners. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Stress
Case report 01/08/2019 Accidental anaesthetic awareness Preview Article Accidental anaesthetic awareness Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview A patient makes a claim against an anaesthetist member following intra-operative accidental awareness, which she alleged resulted in psychiatric injury. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Record keeping Claims Casebook Anaesthetics
Press release 31/07/2019 Primary care staff urged to review indemnity when it comes to travel... Preview Article Primary care staff urged to review indemnity when it comes to travel vaccinations Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview From 1 August 2019, the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP), which is administered by NHS Resolution, will not be providing indemnity for private or non-NHS travel vaccinations and immunisations that patients have to pay for. Read more Article contains Text
Press release 22/07/2019 Advice to doctors following a Brexit 'no deal'. Preview Article Advice to doctors following a Brexit 'no deal'. Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview In preparation for Brexit, Medical Protection advises doctors on steps to take should the supply of treatments or devices be limited or delayed Read more Article contains Text
Case report 18/07/2019 An early presentation Preview Article An early presentation Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview Baby T was eight weeks old when his mother brought him to his GP’s morning surgery. His mother had become increasingly concerned about his general irritability and frequent crying episodes, which lasted up to two hours. These had become apparent over the past three days, not settling with breast feeding. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... GP locum Managing clinical risk Diagnosis General practice Claims
Case report 18/07/2019 Missed critical limb ischaemia Preview Article Missed critical limb ischaemia Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview Mr S was a 60-year-old lorry driver. He was overweight and smoked, and couldn’t walk far because he suffered with pain in his calves. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... General practice Managing clinical risk GP locum Diagnosis Casebook Negligence
Case report 18/07/2019 Back again with cauda equina syndrome Preview Article Back again with cauda equina syndrome Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview When Mrs C, a keen golfer in her early forties, began to experience constant pain in her lower back, she consulted a GP at her local surgery. Dr P took a history of slow onset of pain with restricted mobility. He did not examine her, but prescribed an NSAID and advised Mrs C to return in two weeks if there was no improvement. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Managing clinical risk General practice GP locum Diagnosis Orthopaedics
Press release 15/07/2019 MPS disappointed at small increase to the personal injury discount rate Preview Article MPS disappointed at small increase to the personal injury discount rate Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview The Lord Chancellor has announced that he will lay a Statutory Instrument in Parliament to change the discount rate applicable to personal injury lump sum compensation payments, to minus 0.25%. Read more Article contains Text
Press release 12/07/2019 MPS calls on Government to publish long awaited strategy on the risin... Preview Article MPS calls on Government to publish long awaited strategy on the rising costs of clinical negligence Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview MPS calls on Government to publish long awaited strategy as new figures demonstrate the rising costs of clinical negligence Read more Article contains Text
Press release 09/07/2019 Medical Protection calls for quicker action to squash GMC’s Right of... Preview Article Medical Protection calls for quicker action to squash GMC’s Right of Appeal Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview Medical Protection calls for quicker action to squash GMC’s Right of Appeal and urges more details on reforms to the healthcare professional regulation Read more Article contains Text
Articles and features 09/07/2019 Non-compliant patient sues doctor: whose fault is it? Preview Article Non-compliant patient sues doctor: whose fault is it? Time to read article: 4 mins Close Preview Whilst doctors have a duty of care for their patients, and their primary concern should be their wellbeing, how do we establish patient responsibility for their own wellbeing? Dr Dawn McGuire, Medical Claims Adviser, looks into contributory negligence and whether we can define patient responsibility. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Negligence
Case report 01/07/2019 An uncollected prescription Preview Article An uncollected prescription Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview An elderly patient dies after his prescription goes uncollected. Who is at fault – the GP or the patient’s care home? Medical Protection assisted a member at the resulting inquest. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... General practice Inquests Casebook
Case report 01/07/2019 Treating asthma over the phone Preview Article Treating asthma over the phone Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview Dr T’s deskilling in resuscitation leads to a patient death and a claim. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Communication Casebook Competence
Case report 01/07/2019 Too close to home Preview Article Too close to home Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview This psychiatric claim underlines the perils of treating those close to you. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Casebook
Press release 27/06/2019 Dr Pallavi Bradshaw comments on junior doctor’s proposed new contract Preview Article Dr Pallavi Bradshaw comments on junior doctor’s proposed new contract Time to read article: 1 mins Close Preview Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, Education Services (UK) Lead, shares her comments on the junior doctor’s proposed new contract. Read more Article contains Text
Case report 20/06/2019 Delayed diagnosis of lung cancer Preview Article Delayed diagnosis of lung cancer Time to read article: 2 mins Close Preview Mr U has a hernia repair and is later diagnosed with lung cancer. He makes a claim against two surgeons involved, alleging it should have been identified sooner. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Claims Diagnosis Casebook
Articles and features 18/06/2019 Testamentary capacity – understanding the part you play Preview Article Testamentary capacity – understanding the part you play Time to read article: 4 mins Close Preview Navigating the legal background and providing practical advice for doctors, Ricky Kimachia, advisory case manager at Medical Protection, considers recent queries from members regarding testamentary capacity. Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Capacity
News and updates 18/06/2019 MDU takes legal action against Government over state-backed GP indemn... Preview Article MDU takes legal action against Government over state-backed GP indemnity scheme Time to read article: 1 mins Close Preview Existing Liabilities Scheme for MPS members working in general practice in England. Read more Article contains Text
Articles and features 17/06/2019 The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB): what you need to know Preview Article The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB): what you need to know Time to read article: 3 mins Close Preview When investigating patient safety incidents, it is vital that this is done in an open and honest manner, without apportionment of blame. The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) has operated since 2017 but what should you do if you become part of an investigation? Sarah Pickering, advisory case manager at Medical Protection, finds out Read more Article contains Text Tagged in... Confidentiality