Knowledgebase

GPs and the new Cause of Death certification forms

Dr Emma Davies, medicolegal consultant at Medical Protection, breaks down the new death certification reforms and what they mean for GP locums

GP locums and ‘Fit to Participate’ forms

Requests for fitness to participate statements can put GP locums in a difficult situation and you may feel pressured to complete forms and sign declarations. However, it is important that you only make statements and sign forms that are honest and truthful, and you should always act in the best interests of your patients’ health.

Sessional GPs’ role in parental disagreements

In some cases involving children, a sessional GP will be faced with a scenario involving requests for a child’s medical records from separated parents. Dr Heidi Mounsey, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, sets out some underlying principles that are usually applicable to most cases.

Referrals: how GP locums can minimise risks

Dr Rachel Birch highlights risks a GP locum can face in the referral process

Remote working from overseas as a GP locum – MPS advice

Dr Sarah Townley, deputy medical director at Medical Protection Society (MPS) advises: 'All GMC registered doctors should be aware of and abide by the GMC Remote Prescribing high level principles if providing services from abroad.'

Discussing colleagues – advice for GP locums

It is likely that remarks made flippantly about your colleague may carry more weight in the eyes of a patient, given they are coming from a trustworthy professional.

Advice for remote locum services – Medical Protection

Read MPS's advice for GP locums on remote consulting.

Record-keeping for GP locums: three tips for better notes

Look out for auto-correct blunders and pick up tips from colleagues, Dr Rachel Birch advises.

How GPs can reduce the risk of missed diagnosis

My advice? Stick to your guns and believe in your gut.

Cancer
MPS

Preparing for a  Covid-19 winter

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Fitness to fly – GP advice

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

Child abuse and child neglect – how GPs can spot the signs

GPs often have the greatest chance of spotting behaviour patterns and risk factors that a child may be being abused. Charlotte Hudson presents some tips for locums on the steps they can take to recognise the signs.

Dealing with trivial patient requests over the festive period

Board games are popular during the festive period but dealing with patients who present with concerns of a minor nature is no trivial pursuit. GPs are likely to be busy in the run up to Christmas, and on a busy day, it is understandable that they may feel frustrated when a patient presents with a seemingly trivial matter.

Contracting with practices via your limited company as a MPS member

"We are aware that some practices have recently contacted GP locums who contract via their limited company, as opposed to self-employed individual doctors, to request evidence of corporate malpractice protection. We know that many GP locums who contract this way do not have corporate protection, as they rely on their individual membership with Medical Protection to protect their interests. However, some practices are concerned that, if a claim arises, individual membership is not enough to protect the locum if the company is named as part of the claim.