As a sessional GP you may not feel comfortable raising concerns about a colleague, but patient safety comes first so it is important that you speak up, writes Charlotte Hudson, Content Editor at MPS.
You are a salaried GP in a busy practice. After three months you start to notice that the quality of care by one of your employing partners is substandard. Not only are you noticing this, but patients are also talking amongst themselves and to the secretaries.
What should you do?
If you come across a practitioner that you feel could potentially compromise patient care, you should bear in mind your professional obligation to protect patients from the risk of harm posed by another colleague’s performance, conduct or health. The GMC makes it clear that the safety of patients must come first at all times – this means that if you have concerns about a colleague, you must take prompt, appropriate action.
