Knowledgebase
Significant events and Swiss cheese
There is a scientific discipline called human factors and ergonomics (HF&E) which recognises the absolute certainty that human beings will make mistakes, and so seeks to design working systems and environments that work around our human nature to reduce the risk of error as far as possible.
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Management and information continuity of care
Continuity of care, as defined by care given continuously by one doctor, is one of the most oft talked about modalities of care provided by GPs; it’s the one we feel that’s under threat, the one we’re trying to defend, and the one the government has picked up on to protect and promote. It enables us to build therapeutic relationships, and many patients and GPs value it. Indeed, 50% of our consultations are for chronic conditions, where relationship continuity clearly plays a significant role.
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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.
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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.
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Read GP financial advice on setting up a self assessment tax account for sessional GP work, starting out as a GP locum, how IR35 affects your GP locum, whether to join, stay or leave the NHS Pension Scheme, and what allowable expenses GP locums should record in their annual tax return.