NHS staff jumping the queue
MDDUS advisers are starting to see a rise in calls concerning NHS employees using inside access to expedite personal healthcare.
Prescribing controlled drugs
Nearly half of fatal drug poisonings in the UK involve opiates - and clinicians remain at the sharp end. How do you avoid the pitfalls?
Don’t fall foul of the law
When to tell your regulator about criminal proceedings
Being prepared for unexpected medical emergencies
Would you know what to do if the practice was asked for access to its defibrillator?
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
Altering clinical records – do’s and don’ts
Clinical records should be made contemporaneously - but there are occasions when it's reasonable to alter an existing record
Are you delegating safely?
Clinicians can delegate responsibility for a task but not accountability
Burnout risks patient safety
There is a well-established causal relationship between reduced clinician wellbeing and increased patient safety incidents - and the rise in the incidence and severity of reported burnout is concerning
Adding “violence warning markers” to patient records
It may be tempting to add a warning marker or alert to aggressive patients' records, but MDDUS urges caution
Don't get caught out on indemnity cover
You wouldn't drive a car or go on an expensive holiday without insurance, so it's vital healthcare professionals don't practise without appropriate indemnity cover in place.