Category: Regulatory

By Clayton Williams, Consultant Solicitor at BMA Law. There are occasions when doctors face criminal proceedings and this article seeks to allay any fears doctors might have in such circumstances and explain how best to respond in that situation. Anyone who faces criminal proceedings will experience feelings of alarm, panic and distress, all of which are all understandable given the impact such proceedings might have…

By Amanda Feeny, Consultant Solicitor at BMA Law, Healthcare and Regulatory. Not always: Five situations where doctors may be over-reporting themselves  Doctors rightly take their reporting obligations to the GMC seriously, however, sometimes more seriously than the rules actually require. In our experience, it is not under-reporting that causes problems nearly as often as the opposite: doctors assuming that any complaint, adverse finding or difficult…

by Lisa Nabou, Consultant Solicitor at BMA Law I have received various requests recently to help a range of doctors prepare for inquests. Their statements have been filed already and they contact BMA Law looking for additional support in the weeks (sometimes days) before the inquest takes place. They feel anxious and overwhelmed, they worry over the "what ifs" and all seem to want reassurance…

by Lisa Nabou Why is an apology such a big deal in the context of a patient complaint?   Many years ago, I was handed an apology on a sheet of paper. The note read, in large flowery writing using a black fountain pen on the top two lines of a faintly lined sheet of A4, something like this: ‘Dear Lisa, we apologise if you…

Can health workers be forced to vaccinate? The biggest vaccination programme in NHS history has been launched across England, with delivery to employees in the health and social sector a top priority. This is a momentous event and a huge moment in the battle with COVID-19, but it’s not without complications. The government have now announced that COVID-19 vaccinations are to become compulsory for staff…

Changes in general practice have meant practices are increasingly looking to locum agencies to fill staff shortages and maintain delivery of service levels. Using an agency can save a practice considerable time and cost when recruiting clinicians, whether they are looking for short-term cover for periods of holiday or sickness absence, or on a more permanent basis due to recruitment difficulties. However, we have seen…