How badly do you want help?

20 December 2010

A plea from MDDUS head of legal services, Simon Dinnick - and best wishes for the season

The MDDUS exists to support, protect and defend its members. It does this sensibly yet robustly when required. It can only do it, however, if members provide us with the core information that we need.

As a jobbing lawyer I have noticed in recent months that it is proving ever more difficult to persuade members to provide information needed for their own defence. Whether this is copies of medical records or a factual report on an involvement with a patient or indeed commenting on documents prepared by lawyers and experts requiring member input, it all needs to be dealt with quickly.

The Court timetables are ever quicker and the penalties for non-compliance ever more threatening. It is essential if we are going to do our job that members assist us in that process.

We all know that the Membership Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles of Association require member support at all times. We also are all realistic to know that professional people are busy and patient care must come first.

Nevertheless can I please enter a plea to members who have the misfortune to have to use the legal services of the Union to do so quickly and turn around requests for information and assistance promptly. If you do not, it can cost the Union money but worse it might cost you your professional reputation. Do spare a thought for your humble impoverished lawyer at Christmas time.

With thanks and compliments of the season.

Simon Dinnick, head of legal services, MDDUS