Facing challenges during industrial action
Healthcare professionals may face challenging situations during strike action and must work collaboratively and within the limits of their competence
Members administering Covid-19 vaccinations
PRESSURE to roll-out vaccinations at speed should not blind prescribers to the risks attached to mass administration of a very new, prescription-only, injectable medication.
Practices in England face the clock on online consultations
THE new GP contract in England calls for all practices to offer online consultations to patients by April 2020 and video consultations by April 2021. But what about the risks?
Waiting for the ambulance
WHAT is a reasonable time frame to wait with a patient for an ambulance to arrive at home or on practice premises?
Winter pressure equals burnout
PRESSURES in the NHS always increase at this time of year – and so inevitably does the risk of burnout amongst doctors. Long hours and a hard-working culture might seem "all part of the job" but not at the expense of patient safety and personal health.
"Difficult" patients... or colleagues
DIFFICULT relationships in a practice can lead to all sorts of headaches – and pose risks to patient safety.
Abuse in prescribing
Easy access to prescriptions and medicinal products can prove tempting for some clinicians looking to "self medicate" – but be in no doubt that abuse of prescribing is taken very seriously by the GMC
Are you appropriately indemnified?
THE GMC recently consulted on proposed changes giving it the power to check that doctors have appropriate indemnity or insurance cover. Now might be a good time to review your MDDUS membership to ensure it reflects your current practice.
Incentives and inducements
Incentives have their place in improving quality in healthcare but the needs of patients must still come first.
Prescribing addictive medicines
When prescribing addictive medicines be sure to discuss fully the risks and benefits with patients.