Category: Risk management

GP locums report challenges accessing flu vaccinations

GP locums are eligible for free flu vaccinations at GP practices according to the new DES, but some have struggled to find clinics and book in for them.

Q&A: Why GP locums need terms

Terms keep GP locums, and the practices that book them, working safely – and they also help practices make the most of the locum cover they book. This year, new policies for PPE, infection control and remote working make it more important than ever to write good terms before making a booking. Dr Sara Chambers, NASGP Head of Clinical Excellence and Safety, answers frequently-asked questions on GP locum terms

Preparing for a 
Covid-19 winter

Dr Rachel Birch, medicolegal consultant at MPS, provides advice and practical tips for locum GPs

Remote working: the blurred line between triage and consultation

It is imperative that triage and consultation are recognised as unique, and different, skills by partners and professional bodies

Risk management

The Medical Protection Society has supported the NASGP for over 10 years with help and advice for sessional GPs around the management of risk

Reducing risk 
on busy days

Dr Rachel Birch from MPS provides practical advice on how GP locums can catch omissions such as missed referrals, and prevent similar incidents in future

Medicolegal risks for GP locums during Covid-19

GP locums may be asked to work in new ways in unfamiliar environments as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. Dr Rachel Birch, medicolegal consultant at MPS, advises on dilemmas they may face

Giving effective feedback to a GP colleague

Dr Rachel Birch presents two case studies of GP locums who fed back to practices.

Have yourself a merry 
risk-free Christmas

Dr Rachel Birch, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, offers practical advice on how to make this year as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Off duty dilemmas

As doctors, we may sometimes feel that we are never off duty. Even when we are not at work, those close to us may seek our advice on medical matters, or even request for emergency medical assistance.

Locums as educators – every day is a learning day

Every day is a learning day in general practice. We are constantly learning from patients, members of the primary care team, and our secondary care colleagues.

Locum’s employment status deemed ‘worker’ after Employment Appeal Tribunal

An Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that a GP locum is in fact classified as a ‘worker’ in terms of their employment status.

Being mindful of 
medical hierarchy

Medical hierarchy may present a challenge, and at times a possible reluctance, to open discussions about patients. Dr Rachel Birch, medicolegal consultant at Medical Protection, discusses possible reasons for this and provides helpful strategies to overcome this.

Burnout and how 
to avoid it

Burnout among GPs can be an occupational hazard and is believed to be increasingly common. Dr Rachel Birch, medicolegal consultant at Medical Protection, discusses burnout and the steps that sessional GPs can take to avoid it.

The story of a locum session; missing out on marginal gains

In this final article, we'll run through a hypothetical locum session (but inspired by real events!) and the typical response to errors, finally examining how a more considered, system-based approach based on the learning from psychology and Black Box thinking could promote patient safety, practice efficiency and GP morale and retention.

State-backed indemnity – 
what it means for sessional GPs

There's still some uncertainty about the new state-backed indemnity scheme for England and Wales, and Rachel Birch from the MPS has the answers.

Is laughter the 
best medicine?

Dr Rachel Birch, medicolegal adviser at Medical Protection, addresses this issue in more detail and presents a case where humour had unintended consequences.

The doctor’s bag

The evolution of mistakes and errors – an NHS perspective

Fitness to fly

Seeing patients in GP whose first language is not English

Have a better consultation with translation services.

New GMC confidentiality guidance and sessional GPs

Delays outside your control

When the going gets tough