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Throwing fireworks and other risky business
In October the GMC updated its guidance on reporting criminal and regulatory proceedings. Among the main changes was a clarification of doctors’ obligations to inform the GMC about fixed penalty notices for offences such as shoplifting, criminal damage and threatening behaviour.
Skin cancer surgery
GPs risk legal action if they fail to follow GMC guidance – as well as NICE guidelines – when they treat skin cancers.
Secure patient data
Failure to adequately secure electronic medical records could present significant legal and professional risks for doctors.
Cremation certificate
New Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) legal guidance published last week warns that breaching death and cremation certification rules will no longer be regarded as a matter for professional regulation, to be dealt with by the GMC, but as a potential criminal offence.
Holiday vaccinations
Doctors who fail to offer appropriate and adequate guidance to patients seeking destination-specific holiday advice – in addition to the right vaccinations or prophylaxis – are risking a negligence claim.
Intimate examinations and non-English speakers
A recent case at MDDUS has highlighted the risks involving intimate examinations when the patient is a non-English speaker.
Methadone overdose in children
Earlier this month a two-year-old boy in Birmingham died from an overdose of methadone and his three-year-old brother was left seriously ill. This was the most recent of a number of high-profile cases over the years where children have managed to gain access to medication used routinely to wean addicts off heroin.
Continuity of care
Commonly in modern medical practice the patient consults or is reviewed by several different doctors. This is true both of general practice and hospital care.
Patient discharges at Christmas
Hospitals can be dull at the best of times for patients but especially so at Christmas, and this can put doctors under pressure to authorise early discharge.
A brush with the law
A GP receives a letter from the GMC in regard to a failure to declare a conviction for a criminal offence. It turns out that an article in a local newspaper had reported that that the GP had been arrested and charged for driving at excessive speed and the story had been picked up by the GMC to the doctor's great surprise.