Warnings to doctors over the harmful effects of the valproate medications – which, if taken by girls or women of child-bearing potential, can cause birth defects and developmental disorders in children – have been circulating for years.

On the 26 October 2024, the Government’s Worker Protection Act came into effect requiring employers to take a proactive approach to preventing sexual harassment in the workplace. In this article, Croner outlines the Act’s key requirements and the steps you can take to meet these new obligations.

The Employment Rights Bill, introduced to Parliament on 10 October 2024, is set to make some of the most significant changes to employment law in a generation, with a particular focus on ‘exploitative’ zero-hours contracts. In this article Croner outlines what these changes are and how you can prepare for the new legislation.

This guide helps equip medical practitioners build understanding of issues and manage risks around patient consent, and when to contact us for help.

Dr Heidi Mounsey, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, answers some of the questions we have been receiving about supervising physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs).

Staff dismissals can be a challenging process for both sides. In this article, Croner explores the legal routes a practice principal can take to ensure due process is observed.

Managing absences and balancing the wellbeing of your dental staff doesn’t have to be a struggle. In this article, Medical Protection partner, Croner shares techniques to help ensure your team remains present and correct.

The key principle of the ‘duty of candour’ is that general practices must act in an open and transparent way in relation to care and treatment provided to patients

Dr Laura J. Hipple has worked as an Associate Specialist in North Cumbria since 2003, where she is currently also SAS doctor lead and tutor. She is also Vice President for Membership and Workforce at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. As part of SAS Week 2024, Dr Hipple writes about her journey from studying medicine to becoming a SAS doctor in a senior leadership position.

GPs may be unsure about declaring patients fit to take part in physical events. Medical Protection provides advice on this common query.

Medical Protection explores the unique interplay between justice, patient autonomy and the law, as well as outlining the essential four principles of ethics.

Dr Philip White, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, looks at a common cause of claims – missed diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Waiting times for paediatric mental health services are longer than ever. Dr Emma Davies, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, looks at the potential impact on primary care.

Medical Protection provides assistance in about 30 cases a year in the UK where doctors are involved in allegations of criminal activity arising from their day-to-day work. Dr Emma Davies, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, looks at why these issues happen and what we can do to assist you.

A common query received by Medical Protection is concern about the ability of a patient to drive safely and whether it would be appropriate to make a disclosure to the relevant authority. Dr Heidi Mounsey, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, looks at the guidance and an example case study.

Recently, awareness of the effects of the menopause and its treatment options have been the subject of media attention. Dr Rachel Birch, Medicolegal Consultant and member of Medical Protection’s Menopause Network, discusses lessons that can be learned from analysis of our case files.

General practice is under particular pressure from workplace stress and burned-out staff. Here we look at some ways to manage these situations and bring about improvements in wellbeing.

Following the rise in popularity of medical tourism and long NHS waiting lists, patients are seeking more medical treatment abroad. Julie Baylis, Case Manager at Medical Protection, explores the recent trend of patients seeking bariatric surgery overseas and returning to the UK for follow up care.

Patients often choose to email practices in the hope of receiving prompt answers to their medical queries. Dr Rachel Birch, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, offers some practical tips to help reduce risk and manage email contact safely.

In late 2022 Medical Protection celebrated 15 years of its flagship Ethics For All conference in South Africa. During this year’s webinar for healthcare professionals, Dr Blesset Nkambule and Dr Zarina Sonday, Medicolegal Consultants at Medical Protection, took delegates through a series of frequently asked questions they come across while assisting Medical Protection members.

As a doctor or healthcare professional, your career deserves the best protection against claims of clinical negligence. There are two main types of professional indemnity and the differences can take time to understand. This article helps explain the difference between occurrence-based and claims-made protection.

Dr Lucy Hanington, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, stresses the importance of having a diverse pool of medical experts to call on.