Induction of GPs to unfamiliar surroundings

Approximately 50,000,000 consultations occur every year between patients and general practitioners who are unfamiliar with the working ways of the practice in which they’re working.

Whether as Freelance GPs, new principals, assistants, retainers, registrars or other healthcare professionals, working in an alien environment will increase risk of harm to patients and could force underperformance.

The NASGP has produced a standardised practice induction pack allowing individual practices to efficiently and effectively inform all healthcare professionals of the 200 essential non-clinical items of information that are specific to the provision of care to their patients.

The provision of packs to every practice in your locale will ensure all appropriate measures have been taken to reduce the risk of under provision and underperformance by GPs unfamiliar with their surroundings.

What the experts say

“Medico legal experts are advising GPs to put together locum ‘induction packs’ that include vital practice information. They should be a ‘bullet-point’ road map of practice protocols and information.”

Pulse

“The more information locums are given when they start at a practice, the better the quality of care they can deliver”

Health Which?

Read what the BMJ Career Focus February 24 on how to make the most out of employing a locum.

Do I need one?

Can you answer these questions in every practice you work?

• How do I refer for psychosexual counselling?
• How do I refer to the drug dependency unit?
• How do I organise joint injections?
• How do I organise an emergency IUCD?
• Where do I refer for bone densitometry?
• Where can I get a paediatric urine collection bag?
• How do I contact a social worker in an emergency?
  

Ordering

Please use the Information Pack Form (you'll need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to print this out). Each pack contains a paper copy of the templates and also a CD-Rom version so they can be completed on your practice computer.