For further information on the press releases below or any media queries please contact Colin Calder, MDDUS media relations officer, by email at ccalder@mddus.com, or by telephone on 0141 616 2677 or 07850 510881.
AVOID DISPUTES WITH PATIENTS OVER DENTAL CHARGES, URGES MDDUS
1 September 2010
Dentists are being urged to brush up on their procedures and record keeping in order to avoid being dragged into disputes with unhappy patients over charges.
Download PDF
MDDUS HELPS CUT STRESS ON MEMBERS THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES
23 August 2010
Dental defence organisation MDDUS has emphasised how it can help alleviate the stress caused to members who suffer lengthy delays in their case being dealt with when they are subject to a referral to the General Dental Council.
Download PDF
RUDE DOCTORS THREATEN PATIENT SAFETY, WARNS MDDUS
30 July 2010
Doctors who are rude to colleagues could pose a threat to patient safety and quality of care.
Download PDF
FRAUD RISK TO HYGIENISTS AND DENTAL THERAPISTS
26 July 2010
Hygienists and dental therapists risk falling foul of fraud laws unless they familiarise themselves with NHS regulations on making claims.
Download PDF
COMPLY WITH HTM 01-05, OR ELSE! - WARNS MDDUS
14 July 2010
Dentists are being urged by MDDUS to step up their efforts to comply with HTM 01-05, the health technical memorandum on decontamination.
Download PDF
MDDUS APPOINTS TOP ‘SPECIAL ADVISERS’
23 June 2010
MDDUS has appointed two senior figures from the world of medical and dental regulation as honorary special advisers.
Download PDF
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE - SAYS MDDUS
23 June 2010
Dentists are being urged by MDDUS to step up efforts to encourage regular attendance amongst patients to stop painful dental problems before they develop.
Download PDF
NEW WARNING ON IMPROPER RELATIONSHIPS WITH PATIENTS
16 June 2010
Doctors who get too close to patients risk being struck off, warns MDDUS, as new figures show a near doubling in the number of allegations of improper relationships.
Download PDF
DOCTORS MUST BE WARY OF “WORLD CUP FEVER”
02 June 2010
As the 2010 World Cup kicks off next week in South Africa, doctors are being warned to be aware of potential outbreaks of so-called “World Cup Fever” amongst patients returning from the football tournament.
Download PDF
MDDUS LAUNCHES FREE EMPLOYMENT LAW ADVICE
26 May 2010
A specialist service offering expert advice on HR and employment law matters has been launched by the medical and dental defence organisation MDDUS.
Download PDF
TAKE SPECIAL CARE WITH PERIODONTAL CLAIMS, WARNS MDDUS
26 May 2010
Scottish dentists must pay careful attention when keeping records and making claims for periodontal treatment
Download PDF
VIEWPOINT - Why ‘sorry’ shouldn’t be the hardest word for doctors
19 May 2010
In this week's BBC Health 'Scrubbing Up' column MDDUS medico-legal experts Dr Anthea Martin and Dr Gail Gilmartin discusses how an appropriate and well-delivered explanation and apology can be effective in preventing patient complaints escalating into court action. For further information contact Colin Calder, MDDUS media relations officer whose contact details are at the top of the page.
Link to full BBC story
DOCTORS MUST CONSIDER RIGHTS OF PATIENTS WHO STALK THEM
13 May 2010
Doctors and other healthcare workers are being warned they are still bound by a duty of confidentiality – even when reporting concerns about stalking.
Download PDF
DENTISTS MUST CHECK OUT THE REGULATIONS ON THERAPISTS
05 May 2010
Dentists are being advised to check that they fully understand the role of dental therapists so they don’t fall foul of General Dental Council.
Download PDF
DIY DENTISTS AT RISK WITH DENTAL APPLIANCES, WARNS MDDUS
30 April 2010
Dentists are being warned that if they do any of their own laboratory work, they must now comply with new legislation.
Download PDF
SEEK ADVICE BEFORE RELEASING CHILDREN’S NOTES, WARNS MDDUS
21 April 2010
Dentists are being warned they should seek advice and exercise caution before complying with requests to release children’s dental records to authorities where valid consent has not been obtained.
Download PDF
MORE SHIFTS MEAN GREATER RISK IN PATIENT HANDOVERS, WARNS MDDUS
09 April 2010
Poor patient handover procedures in the increasing number of shift changes with the launch of the European Working Time Directive pose a significant medico-legal risk for doctors, warns MDDUS.
Download PDF
NO NEED FOR TOO MUCH GRIP, WARNS MDDUS
06 April 2010
Dentists should give patients specific instructions on how to use denture adhesives properly to avoid potential long-term health problems
Download PDF
ENSURE VALID CONSENT IN TREATING VULNERABLE PATIENTS, WARNS MDDUS
29 March 2010
Dentists should not assume competence in any patient and should always offer assistance in clinical decision-making.
Download PDF
RARE DISEASES POSE MEDICO-LEGAL RISK, SAYS MDDUS
25 March 2010
The diagnosis and referral of rare diseases pose a significant medico-legal risk for all doctors, warns MDDUS.
Download PDF
MDDUS LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE ‘GREENSHOOTS’ DENTAL LECTURES
22 March 2010
The medical defence organisation MDDUS has launched an innovative ‘Greenshoots’ dental lecture series which will visit six different Scottish towns and cities in the next few weeks.
Download PDF
BE AWARE OF IMPLICATIONS OF CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION, WARNS MDDUS
19 March 2010
Dentists are being urged to make themselves fully aware of continuous registration. The UK-wide medical defence organisation MDDUS is warning members of the potential impact of the changes on their practices.
Download PDF
ENSURE APPROPRIATE ORTHODONTIC EXAMINATION CLAIMS, SAYS MDDUS
08 March 2010
Dentists must pay careful attention when making claims for payments for orthodontic examinations, warns MDDUS.
Download PDF
VIEWPOINT - Don't dismiss 'cyberchondriacs'
24 February 2010
MDDUS medico-legal expert Dr Anthea Martin warns doctors against dismissing all web-wise patients as 'cyberchondriacs' in this week's BBC Health Scrubbing Up column.
For further information contact Colin Calder, MDDUS media relations officer whose contact details are at the top of the page.
Link to full BBC story
PRESCRIBE ANTIBIOTICS WITH CARE, MDDUS WARNS DENTISTS
19 February 2010
Dentists are being urged by MDDUS to take care in prescribing antibiotics, and not succumb to their own, or their patient’s misgivings.
Download PDF
GDC TO SHARE INFORMATION ON REGISTRANTS, WARNS MDDUS
10 February 2010
The General Dental Council is set to start sharing information on dental professionals with the new regulatory body which has been set up to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
SDR DEMANDS CLOSE STUDY, WARNS MDDUS
3 February 2010
Scots dentists must pay careful attention to the terms of the Statement of Dental Remuneration (SDR) in order to avoid inaccurate claims which could lead to fees being withheld or disciplinary action, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
RISK AWARE DOCTORS SPARK BIG JUMP IN ADVICE CALLS
28 January 2010
Doctors becoming more “risk aware” in light of recent high-profile cases such as Baby P has sparked a big increase in calls reported by the medical defence organisation MDDUS during the last year.
Download PDF
DOCTORS OUT ON A LIMB WITHOUT MEDICAL DEFENCE COVER
15 January 2010
A small but significant segment of hospital doctors are not members of a medical defence organisation and risk hefty legal bills if faced with professional or disciplinary proceedings, according to a survey commissioned by MDDUS.
Download PDF
OLDER PEOPLE RETAINING TEETH LEADS TO RISKS ABOUT ELDERLY DENTITION, WARNS MDDUS
13 January 2010
New figures revealing that more old people are retaining their teeth is leading to risks in the elderly dentition, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
AUDITS ARE ESSENTIAL, WARNS MDDUS
6 January 2010
Dentists are being given timely advice at the start of a New Year that they must comply with guidelines on clinical audit activity in order to avoid sanctions from the General Dental Council, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
GILL PROPOSALS WOULD SPEED THE PROCESS OF CIVIL INJURY CLAIMS, SAYS MDDUS
14 December 2009
Recommendations contained in the Gill Review of the Scottish courts system would help speed up the processing of clinical negligence claims north of the border, says the defence organisation MDDUS (Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland).
Download PDF
BOOST IN DEMAND FOR IMPLANTS RAISES FEARS OVER TRAINING, WARNS MDDUS
10 December 2009
Dentists must beware of the dangers of providing dental implants without suitable training and mentoring, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
TAKE CARE PROMOTING YOURSELF AS ‘SPECIALIST’, WARNS MDDUS
2 December 2009
Dentists must comply with guidelines about advertising any specialist services they offer, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
BOOST IN ENGLISH MEMBERSHIP AT MDDUS PROMPTS LONDON EXPANSION
2 December 2009
An increase in the number of English members joining the defence organisation MDDUS (Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland) has promoted a significant expansion of its operations in London.
Download PDF
THE COMPLAINT YOU DON’T WANT TO RECEIVE, WARNS MDDUS
26 November 2009
One of the worst complaints that a doctor can receive is that he inappropriately touched or examined a patient or worse still sexually assaulted a patient, warns the MDDUS (Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland).
Download PDF
BEWARE PITFALLS OF 'AUTHORITY GRADIENTS', WARNS MDDUS
26 November 2009
Employing an autocratic leadership style in healthcare management in which staff are wary of questioning decisions by doctors or dentists can sometimes lead to disaster, warns an article in the first edition of a new magazine for practice managers published by MDDUS.
Download PDF
DOCTORS MUST DELEGATE TASKS APPROPRIATELY, WARNS MDDUS
19 November 2009
With healthcare assistants (HCAs) being expected to carry out an increasing range of tasks – such as administering swine flu vaccines – GPs must take care when delegating such activity, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
DON’T LET THE BUGS IN, WARNS MDDUS
18 November 2009
Scots dentists must comply with new Scottish Government guidance on dental decontamination and ensure their validation is up to scratch, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
GP AND DENTAL EMPLOYEE VETTING ‘NOT OPTIONAL’, SAYS MDDUS
11 November 2009
The recent changes to the regulatory body which helps prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults throws up implications for doctors, dentists and practice managers as employers, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland.).
Download PDF
MAINTAIN REGISTRATION OR ELSE...!, WARNS MDDUS
28 October 2009
Dentists must take care to ensure they maintain their registration with the General Dental Council in order to avoid a situation where they are working illegally, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
BEWARE UNWARRANTED DISCLOSURE IN REFERRALS, WARNS MDDUS
26 October 2009
Doctors must be wary of the potential pitfall of disclosing unrelated medical conditions when providing patient referrals, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
RESTRUCTURED GDC FACES KEY CHALLENGES, SAYS MDDUS
9 October 2009
There are significant challenges facing the General Dental Council after its recent restructuring - which will significantly alter how the profession is policed - warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
TAKE CARE WITH NEW CONFIDENTIALITY GUIDANCE ON GENETIC RISK
7 October 2009
New GMC guidance on sharing confidential genetics information is not an open licence to disclose patient information without consent, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
PHOBIC PATIENTS POSE INCREASED RISK, WARNS MDDUS
5 October 2009
A fear of going to the dentist is generally regarded as a trivial problem and patients who can’t cope with treatment often think they are being silly or stupid. But such fears can have serious implications, warns an article in the latest issue of Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) magazine, Summons.
Download PDF
POOR RECORDS LEADS TO POOR DEFENCE, WARNS MDDUS
30 September 2009
Dentists must be wary of the need to keep accurate and up-to-date records in order to defend themselves against patients who increasingly seek compensation, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
PROVIDE CHILD PROTECTION TRAINING FOR ALL DENTAL TEAM, URGES MDDUS
24 September 2009
The recent publication of a new policy document on dental neglect in children highlights the need for all dental staff to have regular training in child protection, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
BEWARE PITFALLS OF WHISTLEBLOWING, WARNS MDDUS
24 September 2009
Doctors must be wary of the pitfalls of whistleblowing, warns an article in the forthcoming edition of Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) magazine, Summons.
Download PDF
TAKE CARE WHEN USING SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES – WARNS MDDUS
21 September 2009
Doctors must take care when using social networking websites such as Facebook, Bebo and Twitter to avoid damaging their careers, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
LIFELONG REGISTRATION BRINGS ADDED RISK TO DENTISTS, WARNS MDDUS
17 September 2009
The recent change in the registration period for NHS dental patients in Scotland to four years – with a possible move to lifelong registration – could have serious implications for the standard of preventative care, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
"HEARTSINK" PATIENTS COULD POSE MEDICO-LEGAL RISKS, WARNS MDDUS
6 August 2009
"Heartsink" patients could pose serious medico-legal risks, according to new research unveiled today (Thursday, 6 August) by the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
MINIMISE RISKS OF PHONE CONSULTATIONS, WARNS SUMMONS
2 July 2009
GP phone consultations carry definite risks, warns an article in the current edition of Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) magazine Summons today (Thursday, 2 July).
Download PDF
GP MEMBERS FULLY INDEMNIFIED DURING FLU OUTBREAK, SAYS MDDUS
16 June 2009
GP members of MDDUS can be reassured that their continuing membership and present subscription will give them full indemnity protection throughout the viral pandemic, says the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) today.
Download PDF
YOU TOO COULD FALL FOUL OF CLAIMS RULES, WARNS MDDUS
21 May 2009
It’s not just MPs who can make inappropriate claims for recompense or misunderstand the rules, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
ENSURE FLU PANDEMIC PLANS IN PLACE, URGES MDDUS
7 May 2009
General medical practices that don’t have full contingency plans for pandemic flu should get them in place urgently, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS).
Download PDF
FAVOURING PARTICULAR PATIENTS "CARRIES RISKS", WARNS MDDUS
6 February 2009
GPs who favour particular patients or offer preferential treatment or advice could risk a GMC hearing, or even face a charge of discrimination in court, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) today (Friday, 6 February 2009).
Download PDF
DOH PLANS FOR PHONE CONSULTATIONS "COULD BE FLAWED", WARNS MDDUS
30 January 2009
Government plans to push for more GP phone consultations as part of its Saving Carbon, Improving Health strategy may be flawed, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) today (Friday, 30 January).
Download PDF
PRESCRIBING ALERTS "MAY STOKE BLAME CULTURE", WARNS MDDUS
22 January 2009
If there are genuine concerns that a GP is overprescribing or prescribing inappropriately, then clearly they shouldn’t be ignored – but reporting a GP isn’t necessarily the most appropriate first step to resolve the issue, says the MDDUS (Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland).
Download PDF
"GOING THAT EXTRA MILE" FOR PATIENTS CAN BACKFIRE, WARNS MDDUS
30 December 2008
GPs can be "too helpful" to patients and blind to the risks of getting too closely involved in matters that are not strictly clinical, according to an article in the latest (Winter 2009) edition of Summons, the magazine of MDDUS, The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland.
Download PDF
EU MOVES MUSTN’T PUT GPs AT CATCH-22 RISK, WARNS MDDUS
4 November 2008
EU moves to clarify citizens’ rights to cross-border healthcare could foist on GPs the responsibility of acting as “gatekeepers” for the NHS, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) today (Tuesday, 4 November 2008).
Download PDF
PATIENT-SPECIFIC BOTOX RULES ARE "COMMON SENSE", SAYS MDDUS
24 September 2008
New GMC guidance that warns GPs to prescribe Botox to named patients only is common sense and errs appropriately on the side of caution, says the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) today (Wednesday, 24 September 2008).
Download PDF
KNIFE WOUNDS GUIDANCE "TIMELY AND APPROPRIATE", SAYS MDDUS
16 September 2008
Interim guidance by the GMC and the Department of Health on the reporting of knife wounds is timely and appropriate, says the MDDUS.
Download PDF
BE AWARE OF RISK IN GP SKIN CANCER SURGERY, WARNS MDDUS
16 July 2008
GPs risk legal action if they fail to follow GMC guidance – as well as NICE guidelines – when they treat skin cancers, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) today (Wednesday, 16 July 2008).
Download PDF
SECURE PATIENT DATA OR FACE CONSEQUENCES, WARNS MDDUS
27 June 2008
Failure to adequately secure electronic medical records could result in a GMC hearing or even criminal charges, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) today (Friday, 27 June 2008).
Download PDF
NEW GMC ADVICE MEANS FLAGGING UP MISCONDUCT, WARNS MDDUS
20 June 2008
Proposed changes to GMC guidance on reporting misconduct – emphasising the onus on doctors to report misdemeanours – are a timely reminder to doctors that matters of personal probity are subject to GMC scrutiny, points out the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) today.
Download PDF
MDDUS OFFERS EDUCATION AND TRAINING GRANTS TO REGISTRARS
20 June 2008
A range of educational opportunities is available to GP registrars – but financial constraints may mean they can’t be exploited, points out the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) today.
Download PDF
"GIVE ADEQUATE HOLIDAY VACCINATION ADVICE," URGES MDDUS
6 June 2008
Adequate vaccination advice to holidaymakers heading abroad for their summer holidays can help to avoid an unnecessary medico-legal claim, the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) urges today (Friday, 6 June 2008).
Download PDF
DOCTORS "FACE PROSECUTION FOR FLOUTING CREMATION LAWS"
23 May 2008
Doctors face prosecution if they fail to follow cremation laws, the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) warns today (Friday, 23 May 2008).
Download PDF
SUFE – DELAY IN DIAGNOSING "CAN BE DEVASTATING"
12 May 2008
Delayed diagnosis of slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) can result in lifelong disability and medicolegal claims of more than £100,000, according to a report in the latest (Spring 2008) edition of Summons, the magazine of MDDUS, The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland.
Download PDF