Informed is forewarned
...The surgeon briefed Mrs L on the procedure but did not think it necessary to discuss the very slight risk of deep infection (spondylo-discitis/osteomyelitis) attendant to the procedure...
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.
The good news is...
...With the subsequent delay in confirming the diagnosis, the patient's pregnancy advances to such a stage that termination can no longer be carried out locally and she must travel to London for the procedure...
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.
An unwelcome embellishment
...It turned out that Mr K was not an enthusiastic typist and, in situations like this, would supplement the computerised records with handwritten notes...
"Delete" is not enough
Disposing of redundant or obsolete computers comes with some potential pitfalls as the Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust recently discovered.
Too much of a good thing
Medical case study
Do not neglect the ARF
Neglecting to pay the GDC Annual Retention Fee (ARF) may seem a minor oversight but the consequences can be extremely inconvenient and costly.
When the truth hurts
...Upon making his request he [the patient] also asked the GP to withhold details of his alcohol abuse, stating: "doctors are entitled to withhold any information which might be harmful to the patient"...
Medical treatment of US and Canadian visitors
Are members indemnified to treat overseas visitors?