Hello, doctor?
A well-run telephone consultation option is part of modern primary care - but what are the clinical and medico-legal risks?
To err is human - but not if you're a doctor
Is a blame culture really the best way to get doctors to admit their mistakes? [Ethics article from 'Summons' Summer 2009]
Writ large
Expensive payouts for major medical negligence claims are still rare in the UK – fortunately. So what characterises the large claim?
Altering medical notes
Doctors must take care when amending medical notes to avoid potential charges of evidence tampering.
Negligence in co-proxamol prescribing - medical case study
...her co-proxamol was discontinued but this was not removed from the repeat prescription list. Later when Mrs G requested a repeat prescription of 100 tablets these were retained by her...
New urgency for flu contingency plans
General medical and dental practices should move urgently to put in place contingency plans for pandemic flu if not already developed.
Adverse drug interaction - medical case study
...The doctor prescribed methotrexate - but in renal impairment the drug can build up to toxic levels...
Missed fracture
...Mrs B could walk but an X-ray months later showed an undisplaced fracture...
Cervical spine trauma
Secondary injury is a major risk in spinal trauma. Mr Robin Johnston provides some insight on a rare but serious emergency