|
| |
The National Association of Sessional GPs (NASGP) has a continued aim to
foster good relationships between all who work in general practice and in doing
so promote high standards of medical care. As an integral part of these aims,
the NASGP has detailed its Code of Good Practice which includes endorsing the
General Medical Council’s guidance contained in ‘Good medical practice’. Bearing
this guidance and our Code of Good Practice in mind, it is hoped all in general
practice can work towards meeting these aims.
The NASGP acknowledges that there are some established core principles that
it supports, namely that:
- Patients have a right to receive high standards of care from all doctors
- Doctors have a professional responsibility to maintain a high standard
of knowledge and skills
- Doctors have a responsibility to uphold standards of professional and
personal conduct
- Doctors are individually accountable for their actions
- The quality of care delivered depends as much on robust systems of
organisation and communication as it does on the performance of individuals.
In addition The National Association of Sessional GPs believes
- Sessional GPs should be able to demonstrate, when asked to do so, their
legal eligibility to work, their current full registration with the GMC,
their inclusion on the Primary Medical Performers list and membership of a
medical defence organisation
- Sessional GPs should be valued as providers of general medical services
- They should be appropriately and promptly remunerated for all aspects of
the work they do
Practices and their staff have a responsibility to facilitate the delivery of
a high standard of care by:
- being well organised, and by ensuring consulting rooms are appropriately
equipped and furnished
- providing adequate up to date information, such as that contained in the
NASGP Standardised Practice Induction Pack
- supporting Sessional GPs, whether employed or self-employed, in their
work, as they do other GPs
- supporting Sessional GPs in their continuing professional development
and appraisal by including them in practice educational meetings,
significant event audits and supporting their efforts to evaluate their
performance through audit, surveys and peer feedback
Practices and all GPs have a responsibility to:
- ensure they communicate clearly and effectively
- ensure Sessional GPs are able to use computer systems securely,
effectively and appropriately for that practice
- Doctors and practice staff should not make any patient doubt a
colleague’s professional ability by making unsustainable remarks about them.
- Sessional GPs’ flexibility and adaptability are key strengths which
should not be abused or exploited
- Both parties should formally agree terms of employment. We advise the
use of locum booking forms.
- All parties must recognise their reciprocal responsibilities when
booking and cancelling work
- Appointment intervals of ten minutes are desirable to provide a high
standard of care
- Sessional GPs should be invited to attend practice meetings on clinical
issues and service provision
- They should, if required, participate fully in the practice complaints
system
- There should be equal opportunities for access to and funding of
continuous medical education and annual appraisal for all general
practitioners
- GP tutors should be available to support all GPs and facilitate learner
centred personal education plans
Sessional GPs are referred to the General Medical Council’s guidance
booklet, Good Medical Practice (2001), for further information. The NASGP
website (www.nasgp.org.uk) also provides further guidance for practices and
Sessional GPs.
The NASGP Code of Good Practice was updated 1st July 2004.
You can also download copies of the code:
| |
What's with all
these GoogleAds?!
|
