Missed fracture
...Mrs B could walk but an X-ray months later showed an undisplaced fracture...
NHS indemnity insufficient
All doctors employed by the NHS should seriously consider the risks of not having the additional protection provided by MDDUS membership.
Bad Blood
...It was alleged that the nurse had used undue force in obtaining the blood, resulting in a tear to the blood vessel...
GPs should not police healthcare access
Prioritise the treatment of patients on the basis of need rather than considerations of legal eligibility.
Holiday toothache
...a temporary filling was placed on two occasions but once Mrs V flew out on holiday the pain became unbearable...
Prescribing benzodiazepines outside guidelines risks scrutiny
Follow guidelines on prescribing opiate-containing products and benzodiazepines and related classes of drugs, and ensure your practice has a fail-safe method in place to monitor and review repeat prescribing of such drugs.
A painful disclosure - medical case study
...A senior civil servant telephoned the GP and asked if the doctor could confirm whether or not Mr L could be considered sufficiently fit enough to attend the disciplinary hearing...
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.
Matters of fact
...No explanation was provided as to why the facts as presented by the patient, Ms F, were so much at odds with the practice notes...
Skin cancer surgery
GPs risk legal action if they fail to follow GMC guidance – as well as NICE guidelines – when they treat skin cancers.