Bullying risks patient safety
Be aware that bullying/harassment creates a poor working environment that can negatively impact on patient safety and care. Seek advice early before the problem escalates.
Parental disputes over access to records
Avoid becoming drawn into parental disputes by ensuring all subject access requests to children’s records are dealt with fairly and in line with relevant professional guidance and legislation.
Telephone triage in primary care
MANY busy practices use non-clinical staff to triage calls from patients. But are your protocols and policies robust enough to protect patient safety?
Healthcare assistants and the flu vaccination
Ensure HCAs are not tasked to provide flu vaccinations under a Patient Group Direction.
Criminal record checks
New rules mean certain "spent" criminal convictions no longer have to be declared by clinicians in England and Wales.
Reporting adverse drug reactions
Be sure to report any suspected adverse drug reaction to comply with GMC guidance
Policing migrant patients
The recent Queen's Speech once again raised the issue of healthcare and immigration status. So what are the obligations in primary care?
Inappropriate sexual behaviour in colleagues
New guidance from the GMC highlights a duty to report any concerns over the sexual conduct of a colleague towards a patient.
Chaperone guidance revised
Doctors can help avoid complaints of inappropriate behaviour by following new GMC guidance on chaperones.
Serial complainers
Think carefully before de-registering a patient - even those who make frequent and unreasonable complaints