ETHICS: Getting personal
Deborah Bowman looks at professional boundaries. Where does discretion apply?
The right response
Dr Ian Reeves and Gráinne Byrne of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman discuss why patients complain and how an effective response can often prevent complaints from escalating
Vignette: GP and political activist Baroness Edith Clara Summerskill (1901 - 1980)
GP and political activist Baroness Edith Clara Summerskill (1901 - 1980)
A friend in need
Do the same rules for doctors treating family and friends apply to dentists? Maybe not to the same degree, says MDDUS dental adviser Doug Hamilton, but he still urges caution
Is it a stroke?
Professor Charles Warlow discusses some common pitfalls in the early diagnosis of stroke
RISK: Incidentally speaking
Some tips on supporting systems for reporting incidents and adverse events
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.
Saving Marilyn
Allan Gaw recounts a cautionary tale of how commercial considerations in drug development can sometimes trump patient safety
An independent Scotland?
Two opposing views on the health and social benefits of Scottish independence