Defence to protect your professional reputation
The core function of the MPS Press Office is to provide media handling support to members. If you find yourself in the media spotlight please get in touch and we can provide expert advice and support, including liaising with journalists and providing statements on your behalf.
Media scrutiny of you and your practice could put your personal and professional reputation at risk. Early advice from the MPS Press Office can help mitigate risks and we can help you respond to the media and deal with them on your behalf. Your first contact is likely to be with a Medicolegal Adviser who will advise whether the MPS Press Office should be involved.
If you need advice or guidance on handling media enquiries, please contact us. The Press Office is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Overview of contents:
- How can MPS help you deal with the media?
- How the media may contact you
- Protecting patients’ privacy
- Reporters at legal proceedings
- What can you say to the media?
- Confidentiality
- GP practices and private clinics – supporting your team
- Social media and discussion sites
- What can you do if it all goes wrong?
- How can you seek redress?
- Factually incorrect articles
- Injunction
Handling the media guide
We have developed a comprehensive guide for doctors who receive attention from the media.
A Guide for Doctors on Handling the Media has been designed to reflect members’ needs and the current press environment.
The guide provides advice on the most effective way to respond to a journalist, from initial contact to providing a statement.
Significant additions to the guide are chapters on reporters at legal proceedings, undercover journalism, and social media and discussion sites to reflect the current investigative and online press environment, where doctors can get caught out.
See below for a content overview.
