As an expert you should be aiming to produce a report which is free standing – from which the reader can glean the key issues in the case, understand the evidence available and reach a clear understanding of the range of expert opinion, without needing to look at any other document.
One of the most difficult situations faced by any clinician is when you are concerned that a colleague’s behaviour, health or professional performance may be placing patients at risk. This factsheet outlines your duty to raise concerns when patients may be at risk of harm.
MPS opposes new criminal sanctions and urges government rethink
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The Medical Protection Society is calling on the government to rethink plans to introduce a new criminal offence for healthcare professionals for wilful neglect or ill-treatment.
The Medical Protection Society (MPS) welcomes the importance placed on a culture of openness in the review of the threshold for the statutory duty of candour; but is concerned about when the duty will apply.
'Opportunity to address concerns' - MPS responds to decision to delay care.data
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Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, medicolegal adviser at the Medical Protection Society (MPS) said, 'MPS is pleased to see that the launch of care.data is being postponed by six months, which will give NHS England the opportunity to address the concerns that have been raised.
MPS highlights prescribing as one of the top risks in general practice
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Prescribing continues to be one of the top five risks in general practice based on Clinical Risk Self Assessments (CRSAs) conducted by the Medical Protection Society (MPS) at more than 150 practices across the UK and Ireland in 2013.
MPS surveys of GPs and public reveal lack of information around care data
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A YouGov survey commissioned by the Medical Protection Society (MPS) has revealed that 67% of over 1400 respondents from England say they have not received the leaflet from NHS England explaining the new care.data system.1 Furthermore, 45% do not understand care.data from what they have read or heard.
A year since Francis - MPS warns current policy at risk of sustaining culture of fear
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A year since the publication of the Francis Inquiry into Mid Staffs, the Medical Protection Society warns that the current policy direction may sustain a culture of fear in hospital wards instead of improving it.
Following a debate in the House of Lords yesterday, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) warns that the new wilful neglect criminal offences could threaten doctors’ clinical judgment. Whilst MPS agrees that doctors should face tough sanctions for causing deliberate harm to patients, it opposes the new criminal offences because they will have unintended and damaging consequences.
MPS survey on post-Francis culture reveals doctors remain fearful
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A week after the government responded to the Francis Inquiry, a survey of hospital doctors conducted by the Medical Protection Society has highlighted the enormous task facing the government in their bid to create the open culture the Berwick Review considered missing and needed in the NHS.
Online records survey: embrace digital innovation but keep data secure
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As MPs discuss online medical records in the Commons Chamber today (26 November), the Medical Protection Society reiterates its concerns that without appropriate safeguards, what could be a revolutionary innovation could lead to patients unable to benefit from the new online system.1
'Criminal offence will create culture of fear in NHS', MPS responds to government’s response to Francis Inquiry
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Following the government’s announcement that there will be a new criminal offence for wilful neglect, Dr Stephanie Bown, Director of Policy and Communications at the Medical Protection Society, said, 'The Medical Protection Society has long argued that better care for patients in the NHS would come through creating the right culture, which cannot be achieved through legislation. We welcome the explicit recognition by government that nothing can be achieved without a cultural change; in our view everything else must support this objective.
MPS responds to the GMC’s third report – ‘State of Medical Education and Practice in the UK’
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MPS welcomes the insights which can be drawn from the findings of the GMC’s third report – ‘State of Medical Education and Practice in the UK’. Of note is the finding that 46% of complaints investigated were against GPs – more than any other speciality but only accounted for 35% of sanctions or warnings. Communication with patients was a feature in 29% of allegations against GPs.
Complaints in health and social care: standards and guidelines for resolution and learning (2009) aims to provide a simple, consistent approach for staff who handle complaints, and for patients who raise complaints across all health and social care services.
One incident can be investigated in a number of different ways – as a complaint, a clinical negligence claim, a criminal case, a disciplinary matter by your employer, a Coroner’s inquest or a complaint to the GMC. An important starting point is your written report on the circumstances of the incident. This factsheet gives more information about writing this report.
Junior doctors need more support to fulfil their potential, MPS survey reveals
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An MPS survey of over 350 junior doctors who are just completing their first year on the hospital wards reveals that over two thirds (65%) chose a career in medicine because they wanted to help people.
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