The GMC has today published updated guidance on prescribing and managing medicines and devices, which comes into effect in six weeks' time on 5 April.
Responding to the announcement, Dr John Holden, head of medical division at MDDUS, said: “We welcome this update from the GMC, and in particular the helpful focus it takes on supporting doctors with prescribing decisions taken during remote consultations as these are now commonplace due to Covid-19.
“I am reassured that the decision to publish the update now has clearly been taken with all of the impacts of the pandemic in mind.
“This is especially important given the current workload doctors are experiencing, and in that regard the six week window doctors now have to absorb and then implement these updates is also welcome.”
MDDUS recently conducted a survey of its membership and found that, while many doctors have seen benefits in being able to conduct remote consultations with patients, there is a need for better support in some aspects of decision making.
- Nearly 4 in 10 (37%) of GPs reported finding treating their patients by remote consultation very or extremely challenging.
- This is also a driver of increased second wave stress amongst family doctors, with 43% of those finding remote consultation challenging reporting they’re finding working in the second wave of the pandemic very stressful.
- Of GPs who report finding remote consulting challenging, nearly half of this group (46%) said they didn’t have access to the tools they needed to confidently make decisions.
This page was correct at the time of publication. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.