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.
Don’t turn a blind eye
Reporting a colleague over patient safety concerns is never easy - but failure to do so could leave you in professional difficulty.
Confidential paper records
Take care with confidential paper records.
Common sense approach to home visits in poor weather
A number of GPs have been calling MDDUS for advice about their obligations to visit patients in the current adverse weather conditions. Doctors must make every reasonable effort to undertake home visits to ill patients but should avoid creating further problems by becoming snowbound or having an accident while travelling.
Ensure adequate chaperoning to prevent sex assault claims
Complaints of sexual assault by patients are not uncommon. Doctors should always offer a chaperone wherever possible.
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.
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.