Title index

This index lists all the publications and documents in the library. Just click on the links to read the article.

Jump to: Advice articles  Q & A  Case histories  Advice calls  News  Media releases  External relations  

Advice Articles

  • . - 17 June 2008

    You may find these links to third-party websites useful.

  • A burning issue - 27 February 2003

    Recent analysis by the DDU has revealed some common adverse incidents that have caused harm to patients and led to a complaint or even a negligence claim. We look at some of these and at ways of managing risk and learning from mistakes.

  • A cause for concern - 30 November 2010

    Is it fair and just that a medical error which results in the patient’s death should land the healthcare professional in the criminal court? Prof Margaret Brazier, Dr Danielle Griffiths and Dr Amel Alghrani of Manchester University School of Law discuss whether criminal prosecution is always appropriate in medical manslaughter cases.

  • A doctor’s criminal conviction is never spent - 17 July 2008

    News that an A-grade student had an offer of a place at medical school withdrawn, apparently because of a spent criminal conviction received widespread media attention recently.

  • A guide to guidelines - 1 March 2004

    They are everywhere - local guidelines, national guidelines, guidelines from the Royal Colleges, NHS screening programme guidelines, GMC guidelines, guidelines from NICE the national service frameworks as part of clinical governance. We answer some typical questions from members on the subject.

  • A letter from the GDC - 12 October 2009

    Getting a letter from the GDC saying someone has complained about you can be very worrying. DDU dento-legal adviser Leo Briggs explains the process.

  • A letter from the GMC - 7 September 2009

    Getting a letter from the GMC saying someone has complained about you can be very worrying. MDU medico-legal adviser Dr Helen Burnell explains the process.

  • A matter of life and death - 9 September 2011

    This month, the BBC reported the case of an 81-year-old woman who had had the words ‘do not resuscitate’ tattooed on her chest to prevent doctors from trying to revive her if she was unable to communicate her wishes. The tattoo was intended to act as added insurance, she explained, alongside her existing advanced decision*.

  • A matter of life and death - 5 October 2011

    A recent BBC report regarding an 81-year-old woman who had had the words ‘do not resuscitate’ tattooed on her chest raises some important questions around advance decisions.

  • A passage to India - 1 April 2002

    Katie Wright spent her elective at a teaching hospital in Bangalore where the rules were strict - including a ban on tender coconuts.

  • A reminder to ask patients about drinking and smoking habits - 28 February 2012

    Dental professionals are all too aware of the negative impacts of a poor lifestyle on the oral health of patients. As part of the NHS Future Forum recommendations, dental professionals are being reminded of the need to question patients on their lifestyle choices and how these could potentially adversely affect their oral health.

  • A review of out of hours complaints and claims in primary care - 1 June 2007

    Since the introduction of the new GP contract in April 2004 the provision of out-of-hours primary medical care has changed radically. Here we highlight some of the factors peculiar to out-of-hours care that can lead to complaints and claims.

  • A student dental elective in Vietnam - 1 December 2008

    King's College London dental student Aliza Jesani traveled to Vietnam to experience at first-hand dental practice in a community where dental hygiene is not top priority for the local inhabitants.

  • Abbreviations should be avoided in medical records - 13 January 2006

    The MDU was recently asked whether it is alright to use abbreviations in medical notes in order to save time. The doctor concerned felt that the time constraints of modern medicine meant that it is difficult to avoid these shortcuts.

  • Access to Health Records Act 1990 - 17 March 2002

    Since the introduction of Data Protection Act 1998, the Access to Health Records Act only applies to the records of deceased patients. There are still however important points you need to know.

  • Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 - 22 March 2002

    The Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 covers reports provided for employment or insurance purposes and has implications for doctors.

  • Accessibility for all on the web - 1 August 2006

    More and more dental practices are setting up their own websites. The Disability Discrimination Act 1999 (DDA) makes it compulsory for services provided to the public to be accessible for all. Specialist web consultancy tmg looks at the Act's implications for websites.

  • Accompanying group foreign travel - 1 April 2003

    Increasing numbers of doctors are asked to accompany groups travelling abroad. We are often asked about the medico-legal issues involved. Dr Paul Colbrook, medico-legal adviser looks at the regulations that need to be adhered to and the implications for members.

  • Acronyms - avoid using them - 10 September 2003

    Recent research reveals that annotating patient notes with insulting or demeaning acronyms is dying out.

  • Acting as a witness - 9 December 2010

    Giving evidence as an expert witness or as a witness of fact need not be such an ordeal if you fully understand the role you have to play.

  • Addressing complaints about private treatment - 19 May 2006

    The GDC has created a scheme, the Dental Complaints Service (DCS), to consider complaints from patients who are not satisfied with the outcome of local resolution of a complaint about private dental treatment. This article explains both stages of the complaints procedure.

  • Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 - 18 July 2002

    The Act will have a significant impact on the management of patients in Scotland who are unable to consent to treatment. It introduces Welfare Attourneys who can consent on behalf of incapacitated adults and also introduces the need for a Certificate of Incapacity to be issued before any such patient is treated.

  • Advanced restorative treatment - 1 April 2002

    John Cunningham offers DDU members some risk management advice to help improve patient care, and avoid complaints and claims.

  • Adverse drug reactions - 28 June 2007

    Doctors are reminded to exercise caution when managing patients requiring methotrexate after it is reported that 19 people are suspected to have died in the last three years after suffering an adverse reaction to the drug when it was prescribed to treat their rheumatoid arthritis.

  • Adverse incident medication errors - 6 October 2006

    An analysis of adverse incidents reported by MDU members working in primary care over a recent six-month period reveals that 43 incidents related to a problem with medication. These incidents were reported at an early stage, before any other action had been taken e.g. a complaint from the patient.

  • Adverse incident reporting - 12 July 2002

    The MDU's clinical risk managers regularly undertake workshops for PCTs, aimed at all members of the primary healthcare team. These are designed at helping practices control or eliminate risks to patients and staff in the surgery. This is a taster of one of the most requested workshops - Adverse Incident Reporting.

  • Adverse Incident Reporting - the MDU's guide - 9 January 2003

    This is a pdf version of the new practical guide aimed at helping GPs to establish a mechanism for reporting and analysing adverse incidents and near misses in their practice.

  • Advice for GPs seeking inclusion on GMS supplementary lists - 31 May 2002

    The National Health Service (General Medical Services Supplementary List) Regulations 2001 provide that all non-principals providing GMS must be on a supplementary list by 1 June 2002 but what information must you provide?

  • Advice for National Smile Month - 11 April 2007

    National Smile Month (13 May - 12 June 2007) is a time when many dentists organise events to help educate patients and potential patients about good oral hygiene.

  • Advice to GPs inserting contraceptive implants - 21 March 2011

    The MDU is asking GP members fitting women with contraceptive implant devices to ensure they are properly trained to carry out the procedure and hold a letter of competence from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, or equivalent proof of suitable training.

  • Aesthetic treatments – the status of hygienists and therapists - 10 September 2009

    The market for non-invasive cosmetic treatments is growing each year. Recent statistics are hard to come by but according to one recent report, Botulinum toxin injections, the most popular procedure, are available in about 20,000 outlets across Britain* and this includes some dental practices.

  • Afraid of the dentist? - 10 September 2003

    For many people a visit to the dentist is a stressful experience. How you deal with these patients can make a major difference to their view of dentistry and the potential dento-legal ramifications following their treatment.

  • Against the odds in southern Africa - 24 April 2009

    For his elective, Tom Kelly, a medical student at Sheffield, witnessed the daily struggle of doctors in Namibia as they sought to cope with the high incidence of HIV and tuberculosis.

  • Alfred the great - 22 April 2009

    Steven Colabella, a medical student at Manchester experienced emergency medicine in one of the most technologically advanced hospitals in the world when he chose the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, for his elective.

  • An analysis of advice line calls - 29 November 2010

    With NHS complaints in the spotlight this month, as reports and analysis of the first year of the new NHS and Social Care complaints procedures are published, a small study of MDU calls reveals that complaints were the most frequent subject of doctors' requests for medico-legal advice.

  • An elective in Australia - 15 November 2005

    Gemma Penford is planning her elective in Australia, thanks in part to winning £1500 in the MDU Electives Competition.

  • An elective in Bangladesh - 19 April 2002

    Amina Rahman is a fifth year medical student at Manchester University. This is her account of her elective in Bangladesh.

  • An elective in Jamaica - 11 March 2003

    Karen Shelbrooke found that Kingston Public Hospital was a world away from the palm-fringed beaches in the tourist brochures.

  • An elective report from Tokyo - 1 July 2007

    Jennifer Kiggins decided to do her elective at the Jikei University School of Medicine as it was closely based on Guys, Kings and Thomas' medical schools.

  • An insight into ophthalmic claims - 1 December 2007

    Over a recent five-year period the MDU opened about 150 files related to ophthalmic conditions reported by members, and many more queries were answered.

  • Anaesthetic breathing systems - 2 August 2002

    Following the news that the CMO is setting up an expert group to investigate why anaesthetic tubing can become blocked, the MDU offers some suggestions on preventing blockages.

  • Anatomy of a claim - 12 January 2012

    Whether it arrives out of the blue or you have an inkling it’s on its way, receiving a claim for clinical negligence is not a pleasant experience.

  • Answering patients' complaints - 25 September 2002

    Sadly every dental practitioner is likely, at some stage of his or her career, to be the subject of patient complaints. Whatever the nature of the complaint it is clearly in the dentist's and patient's best interests that the matter is resolved swiftly and professionally.

  • Antibiotic prophylaxis - 20 July 2006

    Many dental care professionals will be aware that there is conflicting expert opinion on the need for antibiotic prophylaxis for invasive dental procedures where patients have certain types of cardiac conditions.

  • Anticoagulant alert - 20 April 2007

    Members may recall past warnings from the MDU about the problems that can occur when prescribing anticoagulants.

  • Apologies and legal liability - 10 February 2009

    Members who have contacted the MDU for advice on dealing with a complaint or claim will know that we positively encourage doctors to apologise, if appropriate. The MDU has advised members for over 50 years that, if something goes wrong, patients are entitled to a prompt, sympathetic and above all truthful account of what has happened.

  • Apologies, offers of treatment and other redress - 1 February 2007

    The Compensation Act 2006 received Royal Assent on 25 July 2006. This includes Section 2, which was not in the original Bill but was added after the Government agreed to an amendment proposed by Lord Hunt of the Wirral.

  • Are you licensed for Lourdes? - 26 February 2010

    As Easter approaches many pilgrimages head for Lourdes and other sites of religious significance. Members have asked what the legal and ethical situation is if they accompany such groups and whether they are indemnified.

  • Assessing the DCS - 31 May 2008

    Hugh Smith, head of the Dental Complaints Service (DCS), assesses the DCS’s first months in operation while Rupert Hoppenbrouwers, head of the DDU, gives an alternative perspective on the new complaints resolution service.

  • Automated appointment systems - 1 October 2006

    The MDU has been contacted by a number of practices concerned about the potential breach of patient confidentiality when using automated appointment systems.

  • Avoiding complaints puts a smile on your face - 1 August 2003

    Addressing patient complaints can help dentists safeguard patient safety and care. They can be used as a trigger to alert dentists that something may not be working as it should. Learning from complaints can also help to prevent future complaints.

  • Bariatric surgery claims - 15 December 2010

    The apparent increase in the incidence of claims for clinical negligence relating to bariatric surgery has accompanied a rise in the popularity of this type of surgery.

  • Becoming an associate - 1 May 2005

    If you are in vocational training, it may be daunting to consider the next stage in your career but it is well worth considering your options quite early in the VDP year. The DDU has extensive experience in advising and assisting members in choosing their first associate job.

  • Behind the scenes at the MDU - the Legal Department - 1 September 2003

    As a medical defence organisation and provider of medico-legal advice, the MDU relies on a team of in-house legal specialists. Here, Joanne Brundrett, an MDU solicitor, describes the work of the MDU's Legal Department on behalf of members.

  • Behind the scenes of a dental claim - 29 May 2003

    What happens when the DDU assists a member who has received a letter threatening a claim for negligence? Ian McLaren, a DDU lead claims handler, looks at the process of a typical - but fictitious - claim, from the day of the adverse incident through to final settlement.

  • Behind the scenes of a medical claim - 14 August 2003

    What happens when the MDU assists a member who has received a letter threatening a claim for negligence? Dr Matthew Robson, a senior MDU medical claims handler, looks at the process of a typical - but fictitious - claim, from the day of the adverse incident through to final settlement.

  • Belief in practice - 30 June 2008

    The General Medical Council (GMC) has launched new ethical guidance, Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice, advising doctors how they can ensure their personal beliefs do not adversely affect their relationships with, or treatment of, patients.

  • Beware of wrong tooth extraction - 8 December 2004

    While treating the wrong tooth is a comparatively rare occurrence given the range of treatments carried out by dental professionals, DDU figures show that a significant number of these errors occur each year.

  • Blood transfusions - 5 December 2006

    The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has introduced a safer practice notice designed to improve the safety of blood transfusions.

  • Breaches of confidentiality - 29 October 2004

    Inadvertent breaches of confidentiality are not uncommon, especially when treating patients in the same family. It's vital to remember that any information learned in a professional capacity is confidential.

  • Cardiac consent - 12 July 2005

    A new guide has been launched for cardiac surgeons on obtaining informed consent from adult patients with capacity, undergoing elective cardiac surgery.

  • Careless talk costs careers - 10 September 2009

    Leo Briggs, DDU dento-legal adviser discusses the dangers of DDU members getting involved in social networking websites.

  • Caring for drug addicts in the community - 1 March 2001

    There has been a lot of adverse publicity about doctors treating patients who are drug addicts. Using cases from our files, this article looks at some of the important medico-legal issues and offers some risk management advice.

  • Caring for terminally ill children - 10 August 2011

    A new resource for GPs involved in the palliative care of children, The Children’s Palliative Care Handbook, has been launched by the Association for Children’s Palliative Care (ACT).

  • Cauda Equina Syndrome: diagnosis delay and litigation risk - 26 August 2004

    Cauda equina syndrome is an acute surgical emergency. Although an uncommon condition, rarely encountered by most clinicians other than a small number of neurological and orthopaedic surgeons, it is not a difficult syndrome to suspect or investigate and this article should be of interest to a wider audience.

  • Caution on suicide requests - 12 December 2008

    The decision not to prosecute the family of a man who committed suicide at the Dignitas clinic does not change the legal position of doctors.

  • Caution over cautions - 30 June 2008

    Before accepting a police caution, members need to be fully aware of the implications.

  • Caution when involving patients in Significant Event Audit - 2 June 2002

    Significant Event Audit (SEA) and complaints are, strictly speaking, separate processes. Nevertheless, sharing the findings of SEA with a complainant can provide reassurance and help to resolve the complaint at an early stage but caution needs to be exercised in how information is shared.

  • Celebrity patients and confidentiality - 2 March 2009

    The medical treatment given to celebrities has long been a staple of the features sections in many newspapers. However, in recent months, stories about the health of people in the public eye seem to have hit the front pages which can lead to confidentiality dilemmas for the healthcare staff providing care and treatment.

  • Cessation of ventilation - 7 May 2004

    A six year old boy is admitted to the paediatric intensive care after a near drowning. The child is unable to support respiration. After being fully resuscitated he is still unable to survive off ventilation. The parents do not want the ventilator switched off. What should you do?

  • Change in law on controlled drugs - 29 July 2003

    Doctors, drug treatment workers and pharmacists will soon be able to supply cleaning items and other equipment to drug abusers. The change in the law is designed to help prevent disease and infection, the Home Office announced recently.

  • Changes to employment law podcast - 22 July 2009

    In this two part podcast, Mark Owen, a solicitor at Peninsula Business Services, reviews changes to employment law following the introduction of the ACAS Code of Practice that GP principles and practice managers should be aware of. Part one highlights the key changes in the law and part two considers some typical case studies.

  • Changes to GMC registration for doctors over 65 - 1 January 2009

    In 2008, the GMC was advised by leading counsel that it was unlawful to exempt registrants over 65 from paying the annual retention fee (ARF). It removed the exemption with effect from 1 January 2009.

  • Changes to GMC's online register - 5 October 2005

    A number of members have been unhappy with the GMC's decision to remove names from the online doctor search facility while it investigates a complaint. We have raised these concerns with the GMC and understand that some changes are due to be made.

  • Changes to the GMC's online register - 19 July 2005

    The GMC is making changes to its search facility which enables interested parties such as employers and members of the public to check doctors' registration online.

  • Chaperone policies needed in general practice - 20 December 2004

    The recommendations made by the Ayling inquiry and a recent survey in the BMJ have prompted an increase in requests to the MDU for guidance on the use of chaperones.

  • Chaperones and the community paediatrician - 10 July 2002

    "Mummy a strange man asked me to take off my top today." These are the words that could fill any parent with dread. But what if that "strange man" was a community paediatrician and his request was a totally innocent one made while he attempted to carry out a chest examination on a timid child without the benefit of a chaperone?

  • Check registration of DCPs in your practice - 10 September 2009

    The DDU is advising members to check the registration status of Dental Care Professionals in their practice following news that over 4,600 DCP’s have been removed from the GDC’s DCP Register.

  • Checking records - 30 June 2006

    A recent news report claimed that some hospital trusts are seeking to make savings by outsourcing the task of typing doctors' notes.

  • Child protection - 3 July 2006

    While child abuse is an emotive and sensitive issue for any dental professional to deal with, the GDC has made it a requirement for dentists to "find out about local procedures for child protection" and to follow these procedures if they suspect that a child might be at risk because of abuse or neglect.

  • Child protection disclosures - 7 April 2011

    The Yorkshire Post recently published a news item about the conviction of a child sex offender. The man was being treated following an overdose when he confessed to the doctor that he had sexually abused young girls.

  • Child protection documents – storage and disclosure - 19 March 2010

    The MDU has received a number of calls from members seeking advice about where to store case conference notes and other documents relating to child protection cases and how to respond to requests for disclosure in such cases. Here are some frequently asked questions.

  • Child protection guidance in Scotland - 5 May 2011

    Child abuse is an emotive, sensitive and often very difficult issue for doctors to deal with. In the last year the MDU has opened more than 130 files to advise members, the majority of them GPs, with concerns about child protection issues.

  • Child protection: medico-legal advice - 19 April 2006

    While to some lay observers it might appear - with the benefit of hindsight - that the issues surrounding child protection cases are quite straightforward, doctors know that such cases are not always clear cut.

  • Childhood Vaccines - 19 November 2008

    GPs and practice nurses should be aware of the regulations and guidance concerning prescribing and administering vaccines to children

  • Children and confidentiality - 1 August 2005

    Confidentiality in the case of children is a potentially confusing area. Legal requirements and GMC guidelines will clarify most cases where consent to disclosure is requested, but GP registrars should be aware of the nuances that can apply if they are to avoid broken promises to their younger patients. Dr Louise Wilson, MDU

  • Civil partnership legislation - 14 December 2005

    The Civil Partnership Act has important implications for doctors when considering questions of consent to treatment and parental responsibility.

  • Clinical Negligence – the legal process explained - 1 January 2011

    This pdf version of our guide is designed for members facing allegations of clinical negligence. It's a unique source of information and contains practical and supportive advice for members about all stages of the litigation process.

  • Clinical negligence claims explained - 12 August 2010

    Having your reputation called into question can be a daunting concept for any dental professional. In this podcast, Debbie Herbst, senior dental claims handler at the DDU, explains how the legal process works.

  • Clinical research - 1 December 2006

    Clinical drug trials have been in the public eye since the terrible outcome of a trial earlier in the year that left six volunteers in intensive care. Doctors who are involved in such trials have an ethical responsibility for ensuring the patient has given their consent.

  • Come join the good samaritans - 28 March 2002

    No matter where you are in the world, would you and should you intervene to help in an unexpected situation? According to the GMC, you may have to.

  • Communicating with relatives of dying patients - 22 March 2011

    A newspaper recently reported that an elderly patient had died alone in hospital after her relatives had allegedly not been alerted to the seriousness of her condition . The Health Service Ombudsman asked the hospital to apologise to the family, pay £700 compensation and draw up plans to prevent similar mistakes.

  • Communication and end–of–life care - 20 November 2009

    Poor communication between doctors, and with patients and relatives, is compromising good end-of-life care according to the National Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD), Caring to the End?, published this month.

  • Communication counts - 18 November 2004

    The success of many dentist-patient relationships depends on our ability to communicate. The DDU outlines some practical tips to help you measure your own ability to listen, speak and relate to patients.

  • Communication counts - 24 November 2003

    The success of many doctor-patient relationships depends on our ability to communicate. We provide some practical tips to help you in measuring your own ability to listen, speak and relate to patients.

  • Communication: Dentists and dental technicians - 17 March 2010

    The DDU advice line has received calls from dental professionals who are uncertain about their professional responsibilities when arranging for dental appliances, such as orthodontic braces, crowns and bridges, to be produced by a dental technician.

  • Compensation update - 29 January 2007

    In recent years the number of clinical negligence claims brought against MDU members and settled by us on their behalf has begun to level out, however the size of individual settlement awards continues to increase.

  • Complaint myth-busters - 1 December 2007

    It's an uncomfortable reality that every dental professional is likely, at some stage of his or her career, to receive a patient complaint. While it's natural to feel shock upon receiving a complaint, it's always helpful to have a clear understanding of what has happened and strategies that might be helpful in resolving the complaint.

  • Complaints myth-busters - 1 December 2007

    It's an uncomfortable reality that every dental professional is likely, at some stage of his or her career, to receive a patient complaint. While it's natural to feel shock upon receiving a complaint, it's always helpful to have a clear understanding of what has happened and strategies that might be helpful in resolving the complaint.

  • Completing cremation certificates - 20 January 2004

    Members should be aware that the Home Office has offered new guidance on completing cremation forms, writes MDU medico-legal adviser Dr Paul Colbrook.

  • Concerns over colleagues - 12 April 2010

    A student was worried about one of their fellow medical students and contacted the MDU for advice. The student believed that her friend was drinking excessively and feared he may also be taking drugs.

  • Concordat on genetic testing - 24 March 2005

    Doctors will be able to reassure patients that insurance companies will not be able to use genetic test results used to predict future illness to deny them insurance.

  • Confidentiality - relative values - 1 September 2003

    Working in general practice can expose you to a variety of situations that you may not have met in the hospital context. One such area is conflicting requests for information about your, or your colleagues', patients.

  • Confidentiality and the police podcast - 22 July 2009

    In general, the police have no more right to confidential information about a patient than anyone else but there are times when doctors should disclose details. Dr Sally Old, MDU medico-legal adviser, looks at a number of different situations that can occur.

  • Confidentiality and the Quality and Outcomes Framework - 25 October 2004

    The Quality and Outcomes Framework is a mechanism by which GP practices may be rewarded for achieving indicators of good clinical care. As part of this process, GPs will be expected to produce disease registers, which may raise new questions about patient confidentiality.

  • Confidentiality in case of criminality - 1 October 2002

    Members are sometimes concerned about the difficulty of maintaining patient confidentiality in certain circumstances. The MDU asked the GMC for its views on hypothetical cases where moral intuition and ethical duties appear to conflict.

  • Confidentiality in child protection - 1 October 1998

    This article talks of GPs involved in child abuse cases, and the medico-legal dilemmas where several family members may be patients

  • Confidentiality of electronic records - 1 October 2006

    Many practices have made the move to a paperless patient record system and this raises questions about the storage and security of electronic patient records (EPRs).

  • Confidentiality of gun owners - 24 June 2010

    Members are being reminded that they may be obliged to breach confidentiality in the public interest if they are concerned that a patient with access to guns may harm themselves or other people.

  • Conscientious objection - 12 April 2010

    A final-year student was carrying out a clinical attachment in her local A&E department. A patient attended for treatment after experiencing heavy bleeding following a termination of pregnancy. The student was reluctant to become involved in the patient's treatment because her religious/personal beliefs meant she had moral objections to abortion.

  • Conscientious objection - 17 August 2011

    As a doctor, you must not let your personal beliefs prejudice your treatment of patients. In the MDU’s experience, healthcare professionals do sometimes have a conscientious objection to a procedure or treatment but the care of patients must be your first concern*.

  • Conscious sedation - 4 July 2007

    New guidance for dental practitioners on the use of conscious sedation.

  • Consent - a question of judgement - 24 May 2004

    Failing to provide a patient with information about a proposed treatment or examination could be regarded as a breach of your duty of care. But how much information should you provide, and how much does a patient need to give their "informed" consent?

  • Consent and capacity when aged 16 to 18 - 10 November 2006

    Teenage patients, within the 16-18 age group, can represent a challenging area when it comes to consent. While in most cases, a doctor can accept the consent of such a patient; it is important to judge each case on its own merits, seeking advice if necessary from a colleague or your medical defence organisation.

  • Consent and young patients - 16 November 2009

    The extremely sad case of Baby RB has highlighted the complexity of the issues surrounding the assessment of the best interests of children who are too young to make decisions for themselves, particularly where there is disagreement between those with parental responsibility.

  • Consent for minor surgery - 24 May 2004

    If you're considering performing minor surgery, you need to understand what information you should provide your patients, and record, in order for them to give their consent.

  • Consent for school dental inspections - 6 July 2006

    The Department of Health (DoH) has warned salaried dentists who carry out dental inspections or epidemiological surveys in schools that it is not sufficient to rely on implied consent (described as "negative consent" in the document) to examine school pupils.

  • Consulting without notes - 15 November 2010

    In a recent Pulse column, GP Dr Phil Peverley described the difficulties he faced when his computer screen went blank just before morning surgery, reflecting: “It is embarrassing how dependent we are on computers these days. If they don’t work, we know NOTHING about our patients” (Only missed when IT’s gone, Pulse, 12 October 2010).

  • Consumer guidelines on plastic surgery - 8 November 2004

    The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons has produced a 10-point checklist to help anyone considering plastic surgery to make an educated decision about any treatment and help them to form a realistic idea of what surgery can and cannot achieve.

  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD) - 10 June 2004

    Dentists who fail to complete 250 hours Continuing Professional Development (CPD) over a five-year period, risk being erased from the dental register.

  • Controlled drugs - update on latest guidance - 24 August 2006

    The DDU is reminding all members to consider whether their drugs protocols need to be revised in the light of guidance from the Department of Health (DoH) about private controlled drugs (CDs) prescriptions and dental prescribing.

  • Controlled drugs interim guidance - 23 March 2006

    The Department of Health (DH) has produced interim guidance for doctors who prescribe controlled drugs (CDs) on private prescriptions and for all healthcare professionals who deal with controlled drugs.

  • Coroners amendment rules - 21 June 2005

    New rules about the retention and disposal of human tissue and other samples by pathologists came into effect on 1st June 2005.

  • Corporate dentistry - 1 August 2007

    This summer, the General Dental Council (GDC) is planning to launch a list of corporate bodies "carrying on the business of dentistry". This follows the removal of restrictions on the number of dental bodies corporate (DBCs).

  • Corporate manslaughter and corporate homicide bill - 29 January 2007

    The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill returned to the House of Commons for its second reading in December. It is intended to make it easier for organisations, including hospital trusts, to be prosecuted if the way their activities are managed or organised by senior management causes death from a gross breach of duty.

  • Cosmetic procedures - 26 February 2007

    Before offering services such as administering botulinum toxin and dermal fillers, thread vein treatment and tattoo removal, it is essential to be aware of the legal and ethical implications.

  • Could you cope with an IT systems failure? - 8 August 2006

    With increasing reliance on electronic records, the MDU is advising members to ensure they have a clear recovery plan in place in case of IT failures.

  • Could you cope with an IT systems failure? - 11 August 2006

    With increasing reliance on electronic records, the DDU is advising members to ensure they have a clear recovery plan in place in case of IT failures.

  • Court of Appeal child abuse decision - 10 September 2003

    A recent ruling in the Court of Appeal means that doctors and social workers may owe a common law duty of care to a child when investigating suspected child abuse.

  • Cryotherapy caution - 1 December 2006

    Claims frequently result from routine minor surgical procedures including the use of cryotherapy.

  • Dangers in bulk emails - 10 May 2012

    Electronic forms of communication with patients have huge benefits for practices. However, such communications contain personal information (email addresses) and there is the potential for a breach of confidentiality when sending out emails to multiple patients unless care is taken to use the blind carbon copy (BCC) field.

  • Dangers of inaccurately transcribed records - 19 February 2007

    Medical records are important. They should give a clear, accurate picture of patient care and treatment, so aiding communication between doctors and their colleagues and reminding doctors of the care they provided.

  • Dangers of Sleep-working - 10 February 2009

    A new study highlighting the benefits of a good night’s sleep concludes that doctors taking appropriate rest made a third fewer errors, which may have benefits for patient safety.

  • Data published on adverse incidents - 2 October 2006

    The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has recently published an audit of serious and untoward events, adverse incidents and near misses reported to its national reporting and learning system (NRLS) by health workers in the NHS.

  • DDU claims checklist - 1 December 2000

    Download and use this pdf checklist when writing to notify us of a claim

  • DDU Journal October 2011 - 1 November 2011

    In this edition of the DDU Journal we look at what makes a good communicator, discuss how young dentists can best choose dental career options and advise on the subject of work experience students.

  • DDU membership for nurses explained - 1 May 2008

    The General Dental Council (GDC) has introduced compulsory registration for dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists.

  • DDU welcomes GDC’s guidance on ethical advertising - 12 March 2012

    The DDU often receives calls from its members about advertising their services. On 1 March 2012, the GDC will introduce new guidance for dental professionals on the principles of ethical advertising.

  • Dealing with dental tourism - 31 May 2008

    From this summer dental nurses must register with the General Dental Council (GDC). DDU dento-legal adviser Leo Briggs considers two fictional dilemmas illustrating responsibilities facing both nurses and dentists in the changing regulatory landscape.

  • Dealing with the media podcast - 22 July 2009

    Medicine is one of the few professions where the consequences of a mistake may be publicised in the newspapers. In this podcast, Dr Helen Burnell, an MDU medico-legal adviser, provides advice for members who find themselves in the media spotlight.

  • Decontamination checklist published - 16 September 2009

    The Department of Health (DoH) has published a new self-assessment checklist for dental professionals to help them gauge whether their surgery is compliant with latest infection prevention and control standards.

  • Defibrillators in GP surgeries - 5 March 2002

    A number of GPs are concerned that they might be found negligent if they do not provide a defibrillator in the surgery in case a patient suffers a myocardial infarction. Is there a legal duty?

  • Delay in diagnosing Lyme disease - 4 June 2007

    The MDU is warning its members to ensure they consider a diagnosis of Lyme disease, which is most common in Spring and Summer.

  • Delay in diagnosing malaria - 16 June 2006

    With the peak holiday season now approaching, and increasing numbers of people travelling to malaria endemic destinations, the MDU advises doctors to ensure they exclude the diagnosis of malaria in patients returning from countries where the disease is prevalent.

  • Delayed diagnosis - meningitis and infections - 22 August 2006

    The very nature of the work of a GP means that diagnoses will occasionally be missed or seemingly delayed, which means that GPs inevitably live with a degree of uncertainty. Understandably, if a delay or missed diagnosis occurs patients need an explanation particularly if the outcome is poor or unexpected.

  • Delayed diagnosis in general practice of trauma and orthopaedic conditions - 5 September 2006

    A new analysis of 620 MDU GP claims files relating to delay or failure in diagnosis settled in a recent five-year period shows that trauma and orthopaedic problems were the third most frequent cause of delayed diagnosis claims against GPs - only surpassed by failure or delay in diagnosing malignancy or infection.

  • Delayed diagnosis in primary care - 1 August 2008

    The very nature of the work of a GP means that GPs inevitably live with a degree of uncertainty and diagnoses will occasionally be missed or seemingly delayed. Understandably, if something goes wrong and a delay or missed diagnosis occurs patients may need an explanation, particularly if the outcome is poor or unexpected.

  • Delegating tasks to DCPs - 1 October 2007

    In July 2006, the list of "permitted duties" for dental hygienists and dental therapists, which set out what these groups could and could not do, was abolished under amendments to the Dentists Act 1984, one of a number of changes to the way dentistry was regulated in the UK.

  • Delegation and referral - 27 February 2008

    At first glance, delegating tasks to more junior members of the hospital team may seem straightforward. However, the MDU regularly receives queries from consultants about their responsibilities in this area.

  • Delegation in flu season - 8 November 2010

    With the flu vaccination season now under way, the MDU has received calls from members wanting to know whether and how they can delegate the task of administering the vaccine to practice nurses and Healthcare Assistants (HCAs).

  • Dental advertising - 10 July 2006

    Advertising your practice can be an ethical and legal minefield and is regularly the subject of calls to the DDU advisory helpline.

  • Dental recall intervals - a matter of clinical need - 8 January 2007

    Members have contacted us for advice about the recommended interval between dental check-ups and in what circumstances the responsibility for setting recall intervals can be delegated to another member of the dental team.

  • Dental treatment overseas - 23 January 2008

    As more patients travel overseas for dental treatment, what advice should be given to them?

  • Dentists under scrutiny - 3 November 2004

    Dental professionals are subject to more regulation than ever before - from patient and consumber organisations, government, and increasingly from the media. We examine how this affects dental professionals.

  • Dentists who fail to meet CPD requirements may face erasure - 12 December 2006

    The first dentists to join the GDC's compulsory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme in 2002 are now approaching the end of their first five-year CPD cycle and may soon be asked to provide evidence that they have complied with the scheme.

  • Diabetes, hypoglycaemia and driving - 23 August 2007

    Members are reminded of the importance of ensuring that patients with diabetes are advised appropriately about driving and their responsibilities regarding the DVLA.

  • Dictated notes - 7 January 2011

    The MDU has recently received a number of queries from hospital doctor members who are concerned about a move towards dictating medical notes rather than handwriting them.

  • Disclosing patient information to third parties - 16 October 2007

    To disclose or not to disclose patient information? That is a question which is frequently put to DDU dento-legal advisers, particularly when the information is requested by a Primary Care Organisation (PCO), NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) or private funding scheme such as Denplan.

  • Disclosure of children's medical records - 22 March 2002

    When disclosing children's records there are a number of considerations including the age of the child, whether they understand the implications and also the marital status of the parents.

  • Disclosure of medical records for court proceedings - 22 March 2002

    Where a patient wants disclosure of medical records for a court case there are likely to be two scenarios - one where the action is against a third party and one where the doctor is the defendent.

  • Disposing of patient records - 2 April 2008

    The recent discovery of over 3000 patient records on a landfill site illustrates the risks associated with the disposal of confidential records

  • Do disclaimers work? - 1 December 2007

    Before you read this article, please study the following disclaimer: The writer recommends that readers select a comfortable chair in which to read this article. The writer cannot be held liable for any aches or pains resulting from any reader's decision to read the article in a chair without a proper back support.

  • Doctor in defence - a member's diary - 1 September 2003

    Defending a claim of medical negligence can be a gruelling affair striking at the very heart of a doctor's professionalism. In this unique anonymised diary, chronicling a seven-day hearing, an MDU member gives a defendant's-eye view of the emotional switchback of the courtroom proceedings.

  • Doctor's signatures - 4 August 2004

    Doctors are being reassured by the MDU that their signatures on documents that have legal status do not necessarily have to be legible to be valid. If their signature is not legible however, then it is sensible to print their name underneath.

  • Doctors as managers - 5 July 2001

    Members increasingly seek advice about their dual roles as clinicians and managers. Dr Rupert Lee, one of the MDU's clinical risk managers, gives the MDU's view.

  • Doctors face growing media scrutiny - 20 August 2004

    Doctors are increasingly being approached by journalists for their reaction to patients' allegations about treatment, or for further information about patients' care.

  • Doctors subject to new GMC procedures - 11 November 2004

    The new fitness to practise procedures are a radical overhaul of the old procedures. There are numerous changes, two of which caused the MDU some concern during the consultation stage.

  • Doctors supervising nurses during prescribing training - 19 March 2003

    GPs and hospital doctors must be suitably qualified to supervise the growing number of nurses and midwives who want to train to prescribe from the nurse prescriber’s extended formulary or act as supplementary prescribers.

  • Doctors volunteering as Olympic 'Games Makers' - 17 August 2010

    With two years to go until the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the organisers have launched a campaign for volunteers, including medically skilled professionals, who will act as ‘Games Makers’.

  • Doctors with managerial roles - 25 June 2002

    In the course of their career some doctors will assume managerial roles either within the NHS or in the private sector. This article looks at some of the questions that the MDU is regularly asked about doctors who take on additional responsibilities.

  • Doctors' SupportLine: Help in a time of need - 21 April 2006

    While many of you view the MDU's 24 hour medico-legal advisory helpline as a vital doctors' support line, there is another valuable advice resource available, offering doctors a chance to talk to someone about a range of concerns such as burnout, depression and overload, as well as problems with their personal life.

  • Does NHS indemnity cover good samaritan acts? - 13 August 2002

    An off-duty doctor who tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate a man who had taken a drug overdose contacted the MDU when the dead man's girlfriend complained that he had not done enough to save him. In situations like this what cover does NHS indemnity provide?

  • DoH relaxes rules on background checks - 30 September 2002

    The Department of Health has relaxed the rules to enable healthcare workers to start working with children while full background checks are completed.

  • Don't mention the 'B' word - 9 December 2010

    Dental practices offering non-surgical cosmetic services should take care not to mention prescription-only medicines by name in their publicity materials.

  • Draft coroners bill published - 1 December 2006

    A radical reform of the coroner's court system in England and Wales will create a cadre of full-time coroners and allow bereaved people to challenge coroners' decisions via a scheme overseen by a Chief Coroner.

  • Elective in Games City - 1 October 1998

    This articles talks of the experiences of a student undertaking an elective in Malaysia. Interesting cross-cultural comparisons and views.

  • Electives guide - staying healthy abroad - 1 January 2006

    Before you travel, there are a number of precautions you should take in case of sickness. These include getting travel insurance, having the necessary jabs and packing your medical kit.

  • Electives guide - staying healthy abroad - 6 January 2006

    Before you travel, there are a number of precautions you should take in case of sickness. These include getting travel insurance, having the necessary jabs and packing your medical kit.

  • Electronic record keeping - 1 May 2008

    The entire practice team should be aware of the law and best practice surrounding electronic practice records (EPRs).

  • Electronic signatures - 4 February 2003

    Members should exercise caution when using computerised "e-signatures" to sign documents where the signature may need to be authenticated at a later date. Certificates, prescriptions and wills for example, may need to be signed by hand.

  • Email alerts - 30 September 2011

    The increasing use of email within the NHS and with external organisations speeds up communication but can occasionally cause problems. The MDU has some ‘cautionary tales’ for members:

  • End of life decisions - 6 December 2010

    In this article, Karen Roberts, MDU medico-legal adviser, analyses case examples that highlight some of the key points arising from the guidance and legislation. The following scenarios are fictitious but based on the MDU’s experience of real cases.

  • End–of–life care in Scotland – advance care planning - 14 July 2010

    Doctors have a clear ethical duty to discuss sensitively with patients and – if appropriate - their families what treatments may be clinically appropriate and of overall benefit to a patient at the end of their life and what interventions may be futile, unwanted or cause them unnecessary distress.

  • Endodontics in Iowa City - 1 April 2000

    Giles Round set off for his elective in the States expecting a peaceful period of research into root canal treatment. But the Iowa weather turned out to be more than he bargained for.

  • End–of–life care – new NICE Quality Standard - 10 January 2012

    An article in the Guardian newspaper says that since May, at least eight NHS trusts have been warned to follow local procedures when making do not attempt resuscitation decisions (DNAR).

  • Epilepsy driving bans - 30 July 2003

    According to a recent news story, US researchers are questioning whether epilepsy patients need to wait for a year after a seizure to reapply for a driving license. However this does not alter current DVLA guidance.

  • Ethical and legal implications of new GP contract - 26 April 2004

    While many of the debates about the new GP contract have focused on the financial implications, there are also professional, ethical and legal implications which GPs need to be aware of.

  • Ethical dilemmas for Armed Forces Doctors - 8 July 2009

    There are 997 Medical Officers (MOs)* employed by the Defence Medical Services, a division of the Ministry of Defence which is responsible for the provision of healthcare to around 258,000 people**, including service personnel and their families. Non-uniformed civilian medical practitioners and locum doctors are also employed.

  • Ethics in practice - 24 June 2003

    Mark G Brennan, Lecturer in Medical and Dental Education at the University of Wales College of Medicine, takes a closer look at the GMC's "Duties of a Doctor" and asks a group of registrars for their opinions.

  • Exercise care with directory services - 25 August 2010

    A number of medical and dental members have sought our advice after becoming embroiled in disputes with companies providing directory services.

  • Explaining fees - 1 December 2000

    This article talks about the importance of the agreement with patients over fees, and the responsibility of explaining the fees. Also offers a case history and risk management advice

  • Extended nurse prescribing - what you need to know - 1 December 2007

    As the pressure increases on primary care to provide wider ranging and more diverse medical services, the role of the practice nurse has also changed and many now find themselves carrying out a wider range of clinical duties, including prescribing.

  • Faculty launches guidance on latex allergy - 13 December 2004

    Dental healthcare workers should be made aware of natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy so they can take steps to protect themselves and are able to manage the patients who suffer from this condition.

  • False or misleading sick notes - 2 June 2004

    A recent court case has highlighted the dilemma GPs face when writing sick notes. The case involved a city trader who claimed damages from her employers reportedly for the stress caused by her job.

  • Female circumcision - 28 August 2001

    Female circumcision in the United Kingdom is illegal and any doctor involved in referral for or actual operative procedure risks criminal charges, warns the MDU

  • Fine tuning the next generation: the role of the VT - 31 May 2008

    Vocational training can be rewarding. It can also be a challenge, not least in the dentolegal issues it raises for vocational trainers (VTs), writes Dr Anne M Milarvie, Vocational Teacher of the Year in the 2007 DDU Educational Awards.

  • First aid - 12 April 2010

    A final year medical student asked the MDU whether he could be a First Aider at his local church youth group. He was unsure if his medical education and student experience would be suitable or whether he should get some accredited training from a first aid charity such as Red Cross or St John Ambulance.

  • Fit note advice lines introduced - 27 July 2010

    Doctors getting to grips with the new ‘fit note’ form (MED 3), which replaced the traditional sickness certificate on 6 April this year, can now access occupational health advice lines.

  • Fit notes replace sick notes - 8 March 2010

    From 6 April 2010, doctors will be asked to provide ‘fit notes’ for patients rather than the traditional sickness certificates.

  • Fitness to practise - 1 February 2007

    The General Dental Council (GDC) has recently introduced new rules to govern how it regulates the dental profession. This article explores the main changes and explains how the new rules will work in practice.

  • Five good practice tips that may help to avoid complaints - 6 January 2006

    Most GPs will receive at least a couple of complaints in a professional lifetime. But there are aspects of good practice that may help avoid a complaint and, when a complaint is received GPs can learn from it to try to prevent the same issue being cause for complaint more than once.

  • Flexible working - 31 October 2008

    Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula writes: The right to request flexible working arrangements was originally set out in the Employment Act 2002 and implemented in 2003. However the obligations placed on employers have expanded and, if you employ practice staff, it is important that you are aware of the implications.

  • Flu – frequently asked questions - 26 October 2011

    This month, the Department of Health and the Scottish Government launched their annual campaign to persuade those in risk groups to have the flu vaccine. Each year, GP practices in the UK provide millions of flu vaccines and the number of adverse incidents is small.

  • Flu vaccine dilemmas - 24 October 2005

    With the flu jab season in full swing and public sensitivities heightened by the on-going concerns over H5N1 avian influenza being passed to humans, MDU members have sought our advice on flu vaccination.

  • FOI Publication Scheme 2009 - 6 January 2009

    From 1 January 2009, all public authorities, including NHS bodies such as hospital trusts and GP practices, must follow new regulations from the Information Commissioner about what information they should make routinely available to the general public under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

  • For the record - 12 July 2006

    Clear, accurate, legible and contemporaneous - the GMC Guidelines on patient records are simple and self-explanatory. Even so, there is ample scope for omission or misinterpretation and this may only come to light some time later if a complaint or claim is made.

  • For the record – here's your diagnosis - 27 April 2012

    It is estimated that patients only retain about 10 per cent of the information they receive during a consultation. So imagine the added difficulties patients may have in retaining information when they are being given bad news, such as a cancer diagnosis.

  • Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - 23 December 2003

    The Scottish Freedom of Information legislation may affect members based in Scotland. Further information is expected from the Scottish Executive Health Department and the Scottish Information Commissioner.

  • Freedom of Information Act - 21 August 2003

    By the end of October 2003, dentists carrying out any NHS general dental service (GDS) work will need to publish certain information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  • Future Risk - 30 November 2010

    Anticipating the extent and type of medico-legal difficulties likely to arise from emerging medical techniques underpins the service members receive from the MDU. Rupert Lee, MDU clinical risk manager, gazes into the crystal ball.

  • GDC conduct procedures - 19 November 2003

    Few dentists would have an intimate understanding of how the GDC considers a complaint against a dentist. Tamsin Thomas, an in-house solicitor, gives a detailed explanation of the four stages of the conduct procedures.

  • GDC proposes non-NHS complaints procedure - 7 December 2004

    The General Dental Council is planning to establish a new complaints system for private patients for complaints which cannot be resolved by the practice itself. The proposal formed part of the Department of Health's consultation, Strengthening the GDC: A paper for consultation, which closed at the end of October 2004.

  • GDC publishes student fitness to practise guidance - 7 July 2010

    While dental students understandably want to make the most of their time in further education, the DDU has always advised student members to be aware of the potential repercussions for their career if they find themselves facing a disciplinary process or in trouble with the law, even if relating to an incident which is seemingly trivial.

  • GDC registration woes - 17 January 2011

    For dentists, the deadline for payment of the GDC’s Annual Retention Fee (ARF) has now passed. If, for any reason, you have forgotten to pay or your payment has not gone through, it is important to act straight away or as soon as you realise there is a problem, for example if you notice the fee amount has not been debited from your account.

  • GDC scope of practice guidance - 8 April 2009

    Dental professionals should familiarise themselves with new General Dental Council (GDC) guidance that sets out the skills and competencies that each member of the dental team should have.

  • Gender Recognition Act - 8 April 2005

    The MDU is advising doctors to be aware of an amendment to The Gender Recognition Act 2004, which came into effect in April 2005, and which sets out the conditions under which doctors can disclose information about a transsexual patient.

  • Generic drugs name change - 14 November 2003

    Hundreds of generic and non-proprietary drugs and medicinal products are having their names changed from December to bring the UK into line with Europe.

  • Georgia on my mind - 2 September 2000

    Negin Shamsian split her US elective between medical journalism at a cable TV station and a real life ER.

  • Gillick competence challenged - 25 May 2004

    The recent case of the 14-year-old girl whose mother complained to the media when she discovered that her daughter had an abortion without her knowledge sparked a national debate about children's rights to confidentiality.

  • Giving patients all the options on fees - 18 October 2007

    A newspaper story claimed that some dental patients are paying more for NHS treatment than they would pay if the same treatment were provided privately. This raises the question should a dentist advise a patient of all treatment options, including private?

  • GMC - Conduct proceedings - 1 August 2001

    This article provides information and function of The Preliminary Proceedings committee and the Professional conduct committee

  • GMC GP register - 21 December 2005

    From April 2006 all doctors who wish to work in NHS general practice must be on a new GMC GP register. The GMC says this is to bring together all the doctors eligible to work in general practice into a single place.

  • GMC guidance on taking up and ending appointments - 23 May 2008

    Junior doctor members who have been applying for specialty training posts, and others planning the next stage of their career, may find it useful to be aware of some new advice which has been published on the GMC website.

  • GMC introduces new rules to dispose of cases - 7 January 2008

    In December 2007 the GMC changed its fitness to practise (FTP) procedures, widening its powers to dispose of cases consensually, at the investigation stage, by agreeing binding undertakings with the doctor, rather than referring for a public hearing.

  • GMC publishes new guidance on treating under 18s - 23 October 2007

    The GMC has published new guidance for doctors treating children. The guidance entitled; 0-18 years: guidance for all doctors, highlights that doctors should always act in the best interests of children and young people and explains how to assess best interests, which may not always be straightforward.

  • Golden rules of medico–legal practice for students - 15 April 2002

    Even as a medical student you should be aware of medico-legal issues that may affect you. This article looks at the rules regarding confidentiality, consent and note taking. It's vital information to help you avoid problems.

  • Good Samaritan acts - 12 April 2010

    A medical student contacted the MDU to ask whether her membership covered her for Good Samaritan acts. She was due to conduct her elective in Australia, but also planned to travel extensively in south-east Asia beforehand. A friend had told her they would refuse to get involved in an emergency in case they were sued.

  • Good Samaritan doctors - 27 July 2006

    A story reported this week, where an off-duty doctor assisted when an inflatable "air sculpture" tore away from its moorings, shows that a doctor can be called upon at any time to assist. Here we look at the medico-legal position of Good Samaritan acts.

  • GP certificates - 9 July 2003

    When a patient asked for a medical certificate saying he was fit enough for an aromatherapy massage, his GP called the MDU's advisory service to ask if he was obliged to provide one.

  • GP partnerships: an elusive jackpot - 30 June 2008

    In the third of a series of articles on interview preparation, Olivier Picard, managing director of ISC Medical, a company specialising in interview skills coaching for doctors, gives some useful advice for doctors considering applying for a partnership position in general practice.

  • GP practices will need to register for CQC online - 21 November 2011

    In advance of the deadline for GP practice to register with the Care Quality Commission in April 2013, the CQC has sent an introduction to the registration process to all primary care providers which makes clear that registration will be online and that GPs will not be required to demonstrate compliance before they can register.

  • GP risk management survey - 27 August 2002

    The MDU carried out a survey of risk management systems in 330 general practices. Overall the results were encouraging but the survey highlighted some areas where practices risk failing CHI performance reviews. There were also a number of areas where small improvements may make a big difference to patient care.

  • GPs encouraged to produce ‘Quality Accounts’ - 17 January 2011

    GPs are being asked to voluntarily produce a report about the quality of their services and how they plan to improve them, known as a Quality Account, in 2011 before this becomes a statutory requirement next year.

  • GPs going to war - 5 March 2003

    The Department of Health has clarified what arrangements should be put into place in the event of GPs being called up to serve in a war with Iraq. It follows enquiries from PCTs about temporary provisions for GPs absent in time of war.

  • GPs providing dental treatment - 5 April 2006

    The MDU is advising its GP members to exercise caution if asked to provide dental treatment out of hours.

  • GPs referring patients for exercise - 3 March 2009

    GPs are being encouraged to prescribe physical activity as part of a new Department of Health drive to avoid some of the 9,000 deaths a year believed to be directly related to obesity.

  • GPs warned to look out for meningitis red flags - 14 March 2011

    A study published in the latest edition of the British Journal of General Practice (BJGP) has identified 'red flag' symptoms that may be good indicators of meningococcal disease in children.

  • Guidance on electronic records - 2 May 2007

    In April, the Department of Health published two guidance documents which set out doctors' duties regarding the use of IT equipment and the security of electronic records.

  • Guidance published on use of CBCT Scanners - 11 November 2009

    Dentists who are considering the installation of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanners for implant and other specialist procedures, should be aware of interim radiological protection guidance from the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

  • Guidelines for good records - 12 July 2002

    Some basic rules for good record keeping including the use of abbreviations, dictation and legible handwriting.

  • Guidelines in Scotland - 28 November 2011

    This article looks at a common question from MDU members: are they allowed to depart from clinical guidelines if they believe it is necessary to achieve the best outcome for a patient?

  • Gunshot after gunshot - 24 April 2009

    Louise Rushbrook, a student at Leicester, chose Johannesburg, the trauma capital of the world, for her elective destination and was rewarded with a mass of hands-on clinical experience she could never have obtained at home.

  • Hand surgery in Sydney - 6 March 2009

    Nick Peterson, a previous medical student at Liverpool chose to work in a specialist orthopaedic hand unit at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, Australia, for his elective.

  • Handling complaints - 9 April 2010

    A medical student found herself the subject of a patient complaint and contacted the MDU for guidance.

  • Health & safety for general practices - 17 December 2010

    Despite the wide range of hazards present and the diverse nature of the people who work in or visit doctor’s surgeries, they are, thankfully, very rarely the source of work-related accidents and incidents.

  • Helping members with the media - 1 March 2006

    Widely known as an expert provider of advice, support and legal representation, the MDU also has a dedicated press office.

  • Highlights of the new GMC prescribing advice - 1 December 2006

    Last year, the GMC published its latest advice on prescribing, which - unlike the previous version in question-and-answer format - is in the form of straightforward advice. Here, we highlight some of the new document’s most important points.

  • HIV and confidentiality - 23 May 2005

    A recent newspaper report that an HIV patient, who kept his condition secret and subsequently infected his partner, has been jailed for three years raises an interesting question - can a doctor reveal a patient's HIV status to protect an uninfected partner?

  • HIV and patient confidentiality - 14 May 2003

    In a case widely reported in Australia, a woman whose husband infected her with HIV and hepatitis B, is suing her GPs in the Supreme Court of Australia, in what is reported as a challenge to the legal protection of doctor-patient confidentiality.

  • HIV Positive healthcare workers and confidentiality - 3 December 2001

    Following a change in policy by the Department of Health, patients will no longer be automatically notified if they come into contact with an HIV positive healthcare worker. Instead each case will be assessed individually.

  • HIV tests for healthcare workers - 13 January 2003

    The MDU is calling for tough safeguards to ensure that doctors and other healthcare workers undergoing compulsory HIV, hepatitis B & C or tuberculosis testing retain the same rights of confidentiality as other patients.

  • Home Visits - 15 July 2009

    While the surgery is undoubtedly the best place for a GP consultation to take place, GPs will still make home visits where patients are genuinely housebound or where it is medically necessary.

  • Hospital disciplinary procedures - 24 March 2005

    The final three parts of new hospital disciplinary framework have now been published and will come in to force on 1 June 2005.

  • Hospital Trusts must report patient safety incidents - 24 March 2010

    The regulation of health and adult social care in England is about to change. The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the new independent regulator, was set up in 2009 to regulate care provided by NHS trusts, local authorities, the independent sector and voluntary organisations.

  • House of Lords child abuse decision - 26 April 2005

    The House of Lords recently upheld a Court of Appeal decision that parents wrongly accused of abusing their children cannot sue the doctors or social workers who made the decision.

  • How can the MDU help me to correct misleading information? - 27 July 2009

    MDU members occasionally request advice if misleading information about them has been published or if they think they have been defamed. The offending information may have been published in the press, on the internet or in another public place or document and the member wishes to have some kind of correction published.

  • How MDU subscriptions are set - 1 September 2003

    The MDU provides its members with a level and quality of service and support that is second to none. Here we review the various elements that are taken into account when setting members' yearly subscriptions.

  • How safe are you? - 1 September 2003

    When seeing patients in isolation, such as on home visits there are a number of issues you can take into account to lessen the risk of situations that lead to violence.

  • How safe is my data? - 11 November 2001

    The MDU regularly receives enquiries in relation to patient records stored electronically. Here we look at a few commonly asked questions and the advice we give.

  • How to survive dental education - 1 March 2000

    This article provides tips and hints on how to make the most of dental education. Practical advice on how to solve problems and plan more effective learning experiences.

  • Human rights act 1998 - 1 October 2000

    Charles Dewhurst, head of MDU legal services, gives a guide to the likely effects of the Human Rights Act, which comes into force in October 2000.

  • Human Tissue Act 2004 - 1 December 2006

    The Human Tissue Act 2004, the main provisions of which came into force on 1 September 2006, was developed to rationalise and update the law relating to the use of tissue and organs.

  • Immunity removed for expert witnesses - 9 May 2011

    A decision by the Supreme Court has seen the right to immunity for breach of duty for expert witnesses abolished after more than 400 years. Despite this, it is important that expert witnesses remember that their duty to the court remains the same.

  • Improving patient safety - 30 September 2004

    Two-thirds of doctors, nurses and managers say better communication between staff and patients is priority for improving patient safety according to a new poll.

  • Incapacity and the law in Scotland - 27 November 2009

    The MDU regularly receives calls from members who are uncertain about a patient’s capacity to consent or who want to know whether they can provide treatment to an adult patient without capacity.

  • Incapacity and the law in Scotland - 21 January 2010

    The DDU regularly receives calls from members who are uncertain about a patient’s capacity to consent or who want to know whether they can provide treatment to an adult patient without capacity.

  • Indemnity for ships doctors - 20 August 2004

    Members working in circumstances that are out of the ordinary - such as on a cruise ship need to ensure that they notify the MDU and are fully covered for clinical indemnity.

  • Infection control in general practice - 6 July 2002

    The MDU's clinical risk managers regularly undertake workshops for PCTs, aimed at all members of the primary healthcare team. These are designed at helping practices control or eliminate risks to patients and staff in the surgery. This articles looks at one of the popular workshops covering Infection Control.

  • Information sharing following an unexpected child death - 12 December 2008

    Following the unexpected death of a child, a doctor who has been involved in the child's care might be asked to attend an information-sharing and planning meeting where their care could be called into question.

  • Injection errors - 14 March 2006

    The MDU is reminding members about the importance of exercising caution when administering injections following a number of recent cases reported in the media.

  • Inland revenue requests - 24 March 2010

    HM Revenue and Customs (HMCR) has said that from April 2010 it will be carrying out ‘’targeted investigations aimed at medical professionals” who, it believes, may not have declared their full income*.

  • Ireland – Pandemic flu and indemnity - 16 November 2009

    In Ireland, the national H1N1 Vaccination Programme will begin on 2 November 2009 and participating GPs are expected to have enough vaccine to begin vaccinating at-risk patients at the end of October.

  • Irish doctors' new ethical guidelines - 23 April 2004

    The Medical Council's new guidance on ethical conduct and behaviour contains some significant additions to reflect both the growth in the use of modern communication technology and the popularity of complimentary therapies.

  • Is there a dentist on the plane? - 1 April 2008

    A passenger needs urgent medical attention and the airline is looking for someone to offer assistance. Should you as a qualified dentist offer to help?

  • Is your computer secure? - 19 March 2003

    Members are reminded they need to be vigilant in the storage of medical records on computer and in disposing of old equipment.

  • Keeping a watchful eye - 1 May 2008

    There are 4.2 million CCTV cameras in the UK according to a report commissioned by the Information Commissioner. While many are in public places such as shopping centres, parks and streets, some GP surgeries have chosen to install CCTV cameras as a crime prevention and security measure, usually in surgery waiting areas and car parks.

  • Keeping data confidential - 1 August 2005

    Data is protected, but it is not sacrosanct. There are increasing calls on GPs to disclose patient data for quality monitoring, service improvement and other non-clinical uses. The implications for patient confidentiality are significant.

  • Key features of the new complaints procedure - 20 April 2009

    A new NHS and social care complaints procedure was introduced in England on 1 April this year and here we summarise the key points of which members should be aware.

  • Laparoscopic surgery warning - 20 October 2010

    Hospital doctors have been warned to watch out for post-operative problems in patients who have had laparoscopic surgery.

  • Laser eye surgery - 6 September 2004

    While laser eye surgery is becoming increasingly popular - around 100,000 people undergo the procedure every year - claims related to the procedure now account for a third of all ophthalmology claims on the MDU's files.

  • Last wishes - 4 October 2005

    The GMC makes clear that all doctors must respect the right of patients to be fully involved in decisions about their care.

  • Legal representation - 1 June 2001

    This article gives advice as to when doctors and healthcare workers may need legal representation

  • Legal status of NICE guidelines - 15 April 2002

    MDU members often ask what the legal status of NICE guidelines are and if they are obliged to follow them.

  • Let's communicate - 1 September 2003

    Getting your message across, in the right way, to patients, relatives, colleagues and administrators, is an elusive art but an essential skill for all doctors.

  • Lifestyle and access to treatment - 20 December 2005

    Drinking, smoking and other lifestyle factors may contribute to or exacerbate many of the conditions which doctors see in patients every day. However, while this may be a frustration, it should not influence the patient's access to treatment.

  • Lipostabil treatment - 19 July 2005

    Following concerns raised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) about the subcutaneous use of the drug Lipostabil, the MDU is issuing advice to its members.

  • Listening to and Learning from complaints - 24 November 2010

    The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has called for the NHS to improve its handling of complaints and be ready to apologise to complainants.

  • Long term therapy - failure to monitor - 1 January 1998

    This article provides an outline of a study into GP claims relating to medication and specifically to problems with the monitoring of long term medication

  • Maintaining and disclosing patient records - 2 July 2004

    Patient records are used at every consultation and provide an accurate picture of patient treatment and care. They can also provide vital evidence if the standard of that care is called into question. We look at how long records should be retained and patients right of access and disclosure.

  • Maintaining and disclosing patient records - 10 February 2010

    Patient records are used at every consultation and provide an accurate picture of patient treatment and care. They can also provide vital evidence if the standard of that care is called into question.

  • Making the NHS safer for patients - the NPSA - 1 May 2002

    Professor Rory Shaw, chairman of the National Patient Safety Agency, explains how it aims to improve patient safety by working with other agencies and with staff in all areas of the NHS to reduce the risk of harm through error.

  • Making your website accessible to all - 1 May 2007

    More and more practices are setting up their own websites. The Disability Discrimination Act 1999 (DDA) makes it compulsory for services provided to the public to be accessible for all.

  • Malaria pitfalls - 23 September 2010

    The recent publicity generated by Cheryl Cole’s treatment for malaria has led to new Department of Health (DH) guidance about the dangers of contracting the disease and necessary precautions against it.

  • Managing your money as a dental student - 1 May 2005

    For many, owing money is a pre-requisite of student life and juggling scarce resources becomes something of an art. How are you, a student, supposed to cope and deal with the numerous conflicting financial demands?

  • Managing your money as a medical student - 1 April 2003

    For most, owing money is part of student life and juggling scarce resource becomes something of an art. Mark Brennan gives some useful tips on dealing with the financial pressures.

  • MDU advice on completing insurance reports - 28 January 2003

    In December 2002, the ABI and BMA produced new guidance on completing insurance reports. There are however a couple of areas where MDU advice differs.

  • MDU believes insurance should be mandatory - 18 April 2006

    The MDU believes that only a regulated insurance policy or NHS indemnity provides adequate indemnity for the protection of doctors, patients and the public.

  • MDU claims checklist - 1 December 2000

    Download and use this pdf checklist when writing to notify us of a claim

  • MDU Journal November 2011 - 30 November 2011

    This issue's lead feature concerns consent. The articles discuss in-depth the issues of obtaining valid and informed consent from patients and doctors’ legal and ethical obligations. We also discuss plastic surgery claims and the repercussions of amending clinical records.

  • MDU tips on computer security - 23 June 2006

    With increasing amounts of sensitive information set to be put in electronic format, the MDU is advising members to ensure their own IT security practices are robust.

  • MDU tracker system - 19 March 2002

    Evidence from the MDU’s database shows that delayed diagnosis is one of the most common reasons for a claim being made against GPs. In many cases the delay is frequently not due to clinical error but a simple failure to track the patient.

  • Medical advice online - 25 July 2001

    We receive a number of enquiries from members asking about their legal and ethical position when providing online medical advice. While we cannot endorse or approve members' websites, there are a number of points to consider.

  • Medical Council ring the changes - 25 November 2009

    For over 20 years, the Medical Council has issued guidance for doctors on ethical conduct and behaviour. Such guidance is rarely static in nature as it reflects changes to statute and case law as well as the views of society and the profession.

  • Medical emergencies and defibrillators - 3 July 2007

    A number of members have asked whether they need to have a defibrillator in their practice in case of medical emergency. While it is not the DDU's role to set clinical standards, we can draw members’ attention to the relevant guidance.

  • Medical equipment safety: not left to its own devices - 1 April 2003

    Enormous sums are spent each year on medical equipment in the health service, not only in acquiring it but also in its maintenance, which is crucial to its safe use. Dr Susanne Ludgate, Medical Director at the Medical Devices Agency, explains how the agency works to protect both those who use such devices — and those on whom they are used.

  • Medical officers at sporting events - 23 April 2004

    We receive a number of enquiries about members acting as medical officers at sporting events. We are happy to advise members individually, but hope the following information will clarify a number of points.

  • Medical records - disclosure and retention in Ireland - 31 January 2005

    One of the main reasons that doctors contact the MDU is for advice on disclosing copies of medical records to their patients, or allowing patients access to their records. Another common concern is how long to retain records for.

  • Medical research and section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act - 9 July 2002

    New regulations in the Health and Social Care Act will affect the way confidential patient information is disclosed for purposes such as research and audit. Whilst at present the legislation serves to remove obstacles preventing disclosure, it could in the future be used to require doctors to release confidential details about patients.

  • Medical school ‘fitness to practise’ hearings - 15 July 2009

    Medical students understandably want to make the most of their time at university but a recent news item in the Times* about the BMA’s 2009 Conference claimed that universities are taking a tough line and subjecting medical students to their own ‘fitness to practise’ procedures.

  • Medical students justify relationships with patients - 21 October 2004

    Recent research reveals that four out of 10 medical students believe having a sexual relationship with a patient can be justified despite GMC guidance advising doctors against crossing professional boundaries in their relationships with patients.

  • Medication error claims in general practice - 8 May 2009

    In 2007, 796 million prescription items were dispensed in the community, principally prescribed by GPs. The vast majority of these items were prescribed appropriately but occasionally errors do occur and given the nature of many of the drugs involved, these errors have the potential to result in compensatable harm to the patient.

  • Medico-legal dilemmas: Inquests - 7 May 2004

    Each year the MDU helps hundreds of members with inquests and fatal accident enquiries. Here we look at some of the issues that arise.

  • Medico-legal dilemmas: consent - 7 May 2004

    Can a doctor sign a consent form on behalf of an incapacitated patient and is an advanced directive signed by a minor valid? We look at some consent dilemmas.

  • Medico-legal dilemmas: refusal of treatment - 7 May 2004

    With the increasing emphasis on patient autonomy and the availability of medical information on the internet, doctors may come across instances where patients express doubts about their treatment. We explore situations where the patient has declined treatment that the doctor advises is appropriate.

  • Medico-legal implications of picture messaging - 24 February 2004

    Thousands of people now own picture messaging mobile phones and some doctors may be considering using this new technology to speed up diagnosis and improve access for patients. Members choosing to use the latest technology in this way need to be aware of some medico-legal pitfalls.

  • Memory sticks and data protection - 24 September 2010

    The danger of carrying confidential patient information on a portable storage device was highlighted recently when a junior doctor lost an unencrypted USB stick containing details of patients’ conditions and medication which he had intended to forward electronically from home.

  • Meningitis - a diagnostic dilemma - 1 January 2003

    This article provides a review of the difficulties faced by doctors in trying to diagnose meningitis and meningococcal disease and the potentially serious consequences of misdiagnosis

  • Mental Capacity Act comes into force - 25 June 2007

    MDU members involved in decision making for people whose capacity is impaired need to be aware of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA), which will come into force in England and Wales during 2007.

  • Mental Capacity Act podcast - 22 July 2009

    Dr Sally Old, MDU medico-legal adviser, explains lasting powers of attorney, advance decisions and other important aspects of the Mental Capacity Act.

  • Mental Capacity Act supersedes GMC guidance - 8 October 2007

    The GMC has asked us to alert you to a number of paragraphs from its guidance which have been superseded by the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which came fully into force in October 2007.

  • Merry samaritans - 19 December 2002

    As the year draws to a close, the festive season is once more upon us with the traditional festivities already under way. Dr Matthew Lee advises doctors unlucky enough to encounter a festive medical emergency.

  • MHRA updates guidance on device incident reporting - 19 August 2004

    In January this year, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued updated guidance on its system for reporting adverse incidents and disseminating medical device alerts.

  • Minimising radiation errors - 26 March 2008

    A report by the Healthcare Commission revealed a third of all x-ray and radiological incidents involve exposing the wrong patient to radiation.

  • Missed appointments - 1 December 2000

    This article talks about the issue of missed appointments and the problems that can arise from communication gaps between doctors and patients. Also provides a case history and risk management advice

  • Missed appointments - 25 January 2007

    Dentists are advised to think carefully about what action to take over missed appointments.

  • Missed malignancies in general practice - 1 June 2007

    A new analysis of MDU settled claims shows that malignancy is the most frequent condition GPs miss or delay diagnosing. The proportion of claims settled following a delay or failure to diagnose a malignancy is increasing.

  • More prescribing power for nurses - 28 February 2002

    The health secretary has announced that nurses will be prescribing more medicines in the future. This article looks at some of the implications.

  • Multiple jeopardy - 30 November 2010

    An error that leads to a patient’s death can set in motion a series of investigations, not just a criminal one. This is known as multiple jeopardy. Members can be reassured that the MDU will help and support them at every stage.

  • Multiple jeopardy - 7 November 2011

    A doctor diagnoses acute pulmonary oedema in an elderly patient. He administers frusemide and diamorphine and the patient begins to settle. Unfortunately for the doctor, the story did not end there...

  • Myocardial infarction - new NICE guidelines - 13 June 2001

    The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has produced guidelines for treating patients who have experienced a myocardial infarction. The guidelines form a valuable tool for doctors faced with difficult clinical decisions.

  • National Clinical Assessment Authority (GP version) - 15 September 2002

    The National Clinical Assessment Authority (NCAA) is a new body which will take referrals from PCTs and Trusts where there are concerns regarding a doctors performance. The NCAA will provide advice and assessments. This article looks at how the referral and assessment process will work.

  • National Clinical Assessment Authority (hospital doctor version) - 15 September 2002

    The National Clinical Assessment Authority (NCAA) is a new body which will take referrals from PCTs and Trusts where there are concerns regarding a doctors performance. The NCAA will provide advice and assessments. This article looks at how the referral and assessment process will work.

  • National reporting and learning system launched - 19 March 2004

    The National Patient Safety Agency launched on February 24 the world’s first national system for collecting reports of health system failures and errors, in England and Wales, that could compromise patient safety.

  • National Smile Week 13 - 19 May 2002 - 8 May 2002

    Last year the DDU received a number of calls during National Smile Week. Rupert Hoppenbrouwers, Head of the DDU, provides you with the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

  • Negligent failure to warn - a departure from principle - 20 May 2005

    A majority House of Lords judgment in an appeal against a finding of clinical negligence, in the case of a doctor whose patient suffered cauda equina damage after consenting to lumbar spinal surgery without being fully informed of the risks, has left future such cases open to interpretation.

  • New child protection course - 25 January 2006

    Child abuse is an emotive and sensitive issue for doctors to deal with. The consequences of getting it wrong can be severe for the child, the parents and the doctor, while the extensive media coverage pertaining to clinicians has at times been critical of them.

  • New child protection guidance - 27 April 2006

    Updated guidance from the Department of Education and Skills advises that where a doctor is aware a patient under 16 is having sex, the case should continue to be considered on its own merits.

  • New complaints procedure - 11 July 2007

    A simplified two-stage complaints procedure for NHS patients is planned by the Department of Health and is now the subject of a consultation.

  • New confidentiality guidance - 27 April 2005

    The Department of Health has published an updated code of practice setting out guidance on the confidentiality of patient information held by GPs and other contractors who provide primary care services. The new code and directions replace those issued in September 2004.

  • New consent forms from the Department of Health - 3 December 2001

    The Department of Health has recently revised all consent forms and has produced detailed guidance about consent for patients. This article explains the forms and the circumstances in which they should be used.

  • New counter fraud code of practice - 8 May 2008

    Doctors can be asked to disclose documents under a new code of practice for NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS).

  • New cremation rules come into force - 22 January 2009

    Doctors should be aware of new cremation regulations, which came into force on 1 January 2009, and introduce new forms for certification of cremation although the old forms can still be used for a one-month transitional period.

  • New decontamination code of practice published - 1 June 2007

    A new code of practice for the control and prevention of healthcare associated infections in England such as Creutzfeldt-Jackob Disease, will mean GPs need to review and update their decontamination procedures.

  • New GMC booklet on research - 18 February 2002

    Following the GMC's new booklet aimed at doctors involved in research, this article looks at some of the consent issues.

  • New GMC guidance on beliefs - 17 March 2008

    The GMC has launched new ethical guidance on Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice advising doctors how they can ensure their personal beliefs do not adversely affect their relationships with or treatment of patients.

  • New GMC guidance on management - 18 April 2006

    NEW GMC guidance sets out standards expected of doctors who act as managers and of those who are managed.

  • New GMC requirements on identifying yourself - 26 April 2006

    New guidance from the General Medical Council (GMC) requires doctors to identify themselves clearly by using their registered name when signing statutory documents, such as prescriptions.

  • New guidance on antibiotic prophylaxis - 1 April 2008

    The MDU is advising members to familiarise themselves with new NICE guidance which recommends that antibiotic prophylaxis is not necessary for patients with structural cardiac defects undergoing certain interventional procedures.

  • New guidance on antibiotic prophylaxis - 1 April 2008

    The MDU is advising GP members to familiarise themselves with new NICE guidance that recommends antibiotic prophylaxis is not necessary for patients with structural cardiac defects undergoing certain interventional procedures.

  • New guidance on antibiotic prophylaxis - 2 April 2008

    The DDU is advising members to familiarise themselves with new NICE guidance that recommends antibiotic prophylaxis is not necessary for patients with structural cardiac defects undergoing dental interventional procedures.

  • New guidance on anticoagulant therapy in dental surgery - 25 April 2007

    The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has issued a patient safety alert to all NHS and independent sector organisations in England and Wales to manage the risks associated with anticoagulant medication.

  • New guidance on child protection - 30 June 2003

    The Department of Health has issued new guidance for doctors and other healthcare professionals on communication and confidentiality where there are concerns that a child is at risk of physical or sexual abuse.

  • New guidance on controlled drugs - 2 November 2006

    The Department of Health (DoH) has issued two new sets of guidance on record keeping and destruction of Schedule 2 controlled drugs (CDs) in England.

  • New guidance on domestic abuse - 30 January 2006

    The Department of Health has issued new guidance to help doctors when confronted by a patient whom they suspect may be the victim of domestic abuse.

  • New guidance on drug labelling - 27 March 2003

    The Medical Control Agency has issued new guidelines on labelling and packaging, which it hopes will assist doctors to avoid confusion and eliminate the few errors that occur with worrying regularity.

  • New guidance on non-consensual blood testing after a needlestick injury - 23 October 2006

    The GMC's advice on testing the blood or bodily fluids from a patient who lacks capacity after a doctor has sustained a needlestick injury, has been superseded by recent legislative changes - namely the Human Tissue Act 2004, which came into force in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 1 September 2006.

  • New guidance on non-surgical cosmetic treatments - 4 November 2008

    The GDC has withdrawn its July guidance on non-surgical cosmetic treatments following feedback from the DDU and other organisations. It has now published interim guidance to dentists who wish to carry out these procedures.

  • New guidance on patient removals - 30 September 2004

    The Royal College of General Practitioners has updated its guidance for GPs on removing patients from their lists. It advises doctors that, while there are some rare circumstances which justify removal, there are other circumstances where the doctor/patient relationship may potentially be restored.

  • New guidance to help prevent identification errors - 3 August 2007

    Over the 12-month period February 2006 to January 2007, the NPSA says it "received 24,382 reports of patients being mismatched to their care" where for example, staff confused two patients with similar names.

  • New guidelines on contraception - 16 August 2004

    New Department of Health guidance for doctors giving contraception advice to under-16s caused a flurry of headlines but members are reassured that nothing has changed in terms of their legal responsibilities.

  • New guidelines on violence - 29 November 2002

    The ongoing NHS Zero Tolerance campaign issued updated guidelines recently to advise managers about best practice in dealing with violence in the NHS.

  • New look coroner's service - what it means for you - 9 June 2003

    A major shake-up of death certification services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland calls for the creation of a national coroners service to address the flaws and fragmentation in the existing services.

  • New MDU initiative: Revalidation - 1 March 2001

    As the first part of a new programme designed to assist members with revalidation, the MDU has introduced a practical guide to help members set up and run significant event audit meetings.

  • New Medical Council guidance on consent - 28 April 2009

    The Irish Medical Council has approved new guidance for doctors: “Good Medical Practice in Seeking Informed Consent to Treatment”. The MDU is advising its members practising in Ireland to familiarise themselves with the new guidance and to review how they communicate with patients.

  • New NHS framework governing disciplinary procedures - 1 July 2004

    The first two sections of the DoH's framework were introduced by the Restriction of Practice and Exclusion from Work Directions 2003, which came into force on 5 January 2004. It is hoped that the changes they introduce will reduce the number of inappropriate and unnecessary suspensions of hospital doctors.

  • New out-of-hours quality standards - 31 January 2003

    The MDU is reminding GPs that Primary Care Trusts are responsible for the accreditation of the organisation providing a practice's out of hours cover, according to guidelines issued by the Department of Health.

  • New principles for complaints–handling in Scotland - 2 February 2011

    What makes an effective complaint-handling procedure? This month, the Scottish Parliament has approved new standards for public organisations, developed by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO)*.

  • New regulations for independent healthcare in Wales - 15 June 2011

    Doctors working in the independent sector in Wales should be aware that The Independent Healthcare (Wales) Regulations 2011* (the Regulations) recently came into force and apply to independent hospital, clinics and medical agencies.

  • New regulations from health regulator - 7 December 2010

    The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) new regulatory regime, details of which were published earlier this year, requires all primary dental care providers in England who offer regulated activities, whether NHS, private or both, to be registered with the CQC.

  • New resuscitation guidelines - 15 February 2006

    The Resuscitation Council has updated its guidelines for both basic and advanced life support.

  • New review stage to NHS complaints procedure - 13 December 2004

    As of July 2004, all patients or carers who are not satisfied with the way a complaint about dental services has been handled at practice level, are entitled to ask the Healthcare Commission to consider the complaint.

  • New subjects for CPD - 5 October 2006

    Members who are approaching their next CPD cycle need to be aware that the General Dental Council is introducing dento-legal subjects to compulsory continuing professional development (CPD).

  • NHS and social care complaints procedure - an introduction - 1 April 2009

    A new NHS and social care complaints procedure was introduced in England on 1 April 2009. The local resolution stage of the new procedure is governed by regulations: The Local Authority Social Services and National Health Service Complaints (England) Regulations 2009.

  • NHS and social care complaints procedure – an introduction - 13 May 2009

    A new NHS and social care complaints procedure was introduced in England on 1 April 2009. The local resolution stage of the new procedure is governed by regulations: The Local Authority Social Services and National Health Service Complaints (England) Regulations 2009.

  • NHS and social care complaints procedure - local resolution - 1 April 2009

    The Department of Health places great emphasis on resolving complaints as quickly as possible. This may be through an immediate informal response by a doctor or through a quick but thorough investigation and a written response.

  • NHS and social care complaints procedure – local resolution - 13 May 2009

    A new NHS and social care complaints procedure was introduced in England on 1 April 2009. The local resolution stage of the new procedure is governed by regulations: The Local Authority Social Services and National Health Service Complaints (England) Regulations 2009.

  • NHS complaints against doctors drop - 5 December 2007

    New figures showing an overall decrease in NHS complaints reflect the MDU's experiences of complaints notified to it by GP members.

  • NHS computerisation: lessons from primary care - 1 May 2005

    As the Department of Health begins to introduce to the NHS its new National Project for IT, including a system for electronic patient records and joined up healthcare, there could a be a lot to be learned from experience in general practice, where many practices made the transition to computer-based records some time ago.

  • NHS constitution sets out expectations of NHS staff - 2 July 2009

    Clause 2 in the Health Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, is intended to make the NHS Constitution for England legally binding for named NHS organisations such as primary care and hospital trusts.

  • NHS GP summary care records - 10 January 2007

    The MDU has received a number of queries from GP members about the Department of Health's plans to establish NHS summary care records which will be introduced as part of the NHS's wider national programme for IT.

  • NHS Scotland announces Quality Strategy - 30 March 2010

    All NHS boards will be expected to identify steps they can take to improve the quality of care they give to patients under the recently announced NHS Scotland quality strategy.

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face. Rupert Hoppenbrouwers, head of the DDU, looks at the risk management issues involved in cosmetic work.

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face. Rupert Hoppenbrouwers, head of the DDU, looks at the risk management issues involved in cosmetic work.

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face.

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face.

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face.

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face.

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face.

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face.

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face.

  • Not just a cosmetic exercise - 31 May 2008

    Dentistry today is placing ever greater emphasis on improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and face.

  • NPSA endorses WHO Surgical Safety checklist - 11 February 2009

    The NPSA has published a Patient Safety Alert which requires NHS organisations to implement an adapted version of the Surgical Safety Checklist for every patient undergoing a surgical procedure and to record this in the records.

  • NPSA guidelines on wrong site surgery - 1 May 2005

    In March 2005, the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) published national guidelines aimed at reducing the instances of "wrong site" surgery.

  • Nursing dilemmas - 31 May 2008

    From this summer dental nurses must register with the General Dental Council (GDC). DDU dento-legal adviser Leo Briggs considers two fictional dilemmas illustrating responsibilities facing both nurses and dentists in the changing regulatory landscape.

  • Off the hook? - 1 August 2006

    The telephone is a crucial point of contact between patients and the practice. A phone that is constantly engaged, never answered, or answered then put on hold is likely to annoy patients before they even get to see their dentist.

  • Offering chaperones - 22 October 2004

    The recent publication of the Ayling report has focussed attention on the use of chaperones. Although the recommendations in the report have not yet been adopted, it's useful to recap on the current guidance.

  • On the record: cautionary tales on hospital record keeping - 27 August 2004

    Clinical records are an essential part of hospital care. And yet, in a busy environment when several practitioners may be involved in a patient's treatment, entries can be overlooked or mislaid and it is not obvious who is responsible for keeping - and acting on - those records.

  • Oral cancer - 20 November 2006

    Following Mouth Cancer Awareness Week, the DDU offers advice to help members avoid delays in the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer.

  • Oral methotrexate - 18 August 2004

    The MDU has welcomed the NPSA's alert to GP and hospital doctors about the dangers associated with prescribing, dispensing and administering low dose oral methotrexate for psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

  • Overseas treatment - 29 April 2008

    Advice for GP members on the medico-legal issues raised by patients who travel overseas for treatment.

  • Ownership of records - 17 March 2004

    Although patients have a right of access to medical records they are not the owner of them.

  • Paediatric medication incidents - 21 October 2004

    A recent analysis of MDU cases alleging medication errors reveals that 20 per cent involved children under 15. Here we look at the reasons for the allegations, the drugs involved, the costs and provide some risk management suggestions.

  • Pandemic flu and indemnity - 19 June 2009

    We have been in discussion with the Department of Health for some time in order to ensure that the arrangements for indemnity provision in the event of a pandemic are very clear.

  • Partnership interviews: a question of attitude - 31 January 2008

    In the second of a series of articles on interview preparation, Olivier Picard, managing director of ISC Medical, a company specialising in interview skills for doctors, gives some useful advice for doctors considering applying for a partnership position in general practice.

  • Patient Feedback on NHS Choices - 9 February 2011

    The MDU has received a number of calls from GP members concerned about posts on the NHS Choices website that are critical of their practice.

  • Patient information leaflets - 1 December 2000

    This article talks about patient information leaflets, the purpose of them and what to include

  • Patient rights enshrined in Scottish law - 18 March 2011

    The Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill was passed on 25 February 2011 and is awaiting Royal Assent. It aims to improve patients’ experiences of using health services by introducing a legal right to complain and the provision of a patient advice and support service.

  • PCTs required to review out of hours arrangements - 3 January 2007

    The Department of Health has published new directions requiring primary care trusts (PCTs) to review their arrangements for primary medical services (PMS) out of hours to ensure arrangements are fit for purpose and that patients receive adequate continuity of care.

  • Permission marketing - 4 October 2011

    Before and after pictures of cosmetic work are a staple feature of advertisements and other marketing material. After all, what better way to demonstrate the skill of the surgeon in a specialty where the success of a procedure is determined by the visible improvement achieved for the patient.

  • Planning your medical elective - 12 March 2003

    Where do you start planning your elective? Gordon Hamilton, developer of The Electives Network website, provides some valuable advice.

  • Police cautions - 20 July 2007

    Advice to dental professionals on declaring police cautions.

  • Police cautions - 9 April 2010

    A student accepted a police caution for being drunk and disorderly. He contacted the MDU for advice and asked whether this would affect his application for provisional registration with the GMC.

  • Police information requests - 28 June 2006

    The MDU is advising members to be aware of their ethical and professional responsibilities when approached for information about patients from the police or other agencies.

  • Posting pitfalls – Facebook advice for medical students - 11 January 2012

    Facebook is great for keeping in touch with friends. It's also a great way for the MDU to keep in touch with members. But we wouldn't be worthy of the name of 'medical defence organisation' if we didn't tell you about the riskier side of social networking.

  • Potential risk of vCJD risk with reusable instruments - 23 April 2007

    Dentists in the UK have been warned against the reuse of endodontic reamers and files because of the potential risk of contamination from variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) after cleaning.

  • Practice managers Q & A - 31 October 2008

    Practice managers can occasionally be faced with some difficult situations. Dr James Armstrong, MDU medico-legal adviser, poses some questions and answers that illustrate how a practice manager can approach these encounters.

  • Prehospital care and A & E medicine - 11 March 2003

    Andrew Swatton dispels the myth that medical students miss out by staying in the UK for their elective. Read about his experiences with the Royal London Hospital's Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) team and in A&E.

  • Preparing witness statements - 9 April 2010

    A medical student has been asked by the police to submit a witness statement in relation to an allegation of sexual assault by a patient against a hospital consultant. The student had been present at the consultation during which the alleged assault took place, but was unsure what information to include in her written statement.

  • Prescribing - your questions answered - 26 November 2003

    Prescribing drugs is a daily part of life for a doctor. But it is also one of the areas in which doctors may sometimes come unstuck. We answer some of the typical medico-legal questions.

  • Prescribing and administering botulinum toxin - 23 October 2008

    The GMC has updated its prescribing guidance to make it clear that Patient Group Directions are not suitable for the supply and administration of botulinum toxin which can only now be prescribed on a patient specific basis.

  • Prescribing anti-depressants to an adolescent - 7 May 2004

    In this fictional scenario you are treating a 15 year old who has symptons of serious clinical depression. You feel that an SSRI could be a good treatment option but are aware of guidance prohibiting the use of paroxetine for children.

  • Prescribing contraceptive implants to teenagers - 27 February 2012

    Prescribing contraception to teenagers has always been a contentious subject. With the recent report from the NHS Information Centre revealing that 4,900 teenage girls under the age of 16 were fitted with contraceptive implants last year, GPs are being reminded of the key considerations when prescribing contraception to an under-16.

  • Presentation skills for student doctors - 1 May 2000

    This article provides an outline of the do's and don'ts of designing and giving an effective presentation. A conceptual framework to develop your presentation.

  • Prevention is better than litigation - minimising the risks - 25 September 2002

    As a recently-qualified dentist the chance of requiring the DDU’s assistance has more than doubled in the last 10 years. Unfortunately, risk plays a part in everyday life but with simple preventive measures most potential risks can be reduced.

  • Private Dentistry (Wales) Regulations 2008 - 6 January 2009

    From January 2009, dental professionals who practise privately in Wales will need to register with a new regulatory body and adhere to minimum standards set out by the Welsh Assembly Government.

  • Product Liability - 1 January 1998

    This article provides an outline of the Consumer Protection Act and product liability implications for members

  • Professional opinions and the Data Protection Act - 24 April 2006

    The Information Commissioner's Office has published a good practice note on the application of the Data Protection Act to professional opinions. It includes examples relating to medical records, such as what to do about inaccuracies highlighted by patients.

  • Promoting success - 31 May 2008

    How to avoid the dento-legal pitfalls of marketing your practice.

  • Protecting confidentiality - 12 April 2010

    While on a consultant-led ward round, a student examined a patient who had broken her hip. Later that day, the patient’s friend visited the hospital and asked the medical student about her friend’s condition.

  • Publishing in a professional capacity - 8 June 2009

    We have received several requests from members for advice about indemnity for providing medical advice through media such as newspaper columns, radio programmes or, increasingly, on the internet. To clarify the position, we offer members who publish or broadcast in a professional capacity the following guidance:

  • Pupils in the practice - 31 October 2008

    Dr John Holden, MDU medico-legal adviser, provides recommendations on best practice if approached by a school pupil about work experience in the surgery.

  • Quality Mark to be launched for health information - 27 May 2009

    The Department of Health (DH) has devised a new scheme to allow health and social care organisations in England to be certified as meeting an Information Standard and to publish a quality mark on the information they produce.

  • Quality Mark to be launched for health information - 27 May 2009

    The Department of Health (DH) has devised a new scheme to allow health and social care organisations in England to be certified as meeting an Information Standard and to publish a quality mark on the information they produce.

  • Quality of radiographs - 21 February 2003

    A number of members have contacted the DDU regarding a letter received from the Dental Practice Board asking to see a record card and radiographs.

  • Raising concerns - 16 November 2010

    The DDU regularly receives calls from dental hygienists and therapists who have concerns about patient safety at their practice, the conduct of a colleague, or a proposed treatment plan and are unsure what to do for the best.

  • Raising concerns about possible terrorist acts - 25 October 2001

    The tragic events of 11 September 2001 raise the question of when should a member report concerns about a possible act of terrorism. This issue is addressed by the Terrorism Act 2000.

  • Receiving a complaint on behalf of a minor - 25 August 2011

    In most cases, complaints about treatment will be made by patients themselves but when the complaint relates to the treatment of a child, the complaint may come from a parent, carer or another adult.

  • Recording consultations - 3 March 2010

    The DDU has been contacted by members who are considering making a digital recording of dental consultations to provide evidence that their management and treatment of a patient was of a reasonable standard.

  • Recording telephone consultations - new GMC guidance - 15 September 2002

    New guidance from the General Medical Council stresses that GPs who record telephone consultations must not single out conversations with individual callers and must ensure that all callers know they are being taped.

  • Referral for gastric surgery - 10 May 2004

    You see a 45 year old patient who is overweight and previous attempts to reduce his weight have not worked. He is keen to try gastric surgery but you are aware of the risks involved. Do you refer him?

  • Referring a terminal cancer patient to a homeopath - 7 May 2004

    You are an oncologist. A 63-year-old man with disseminated pancreatic carcinoma is your first patient. He knows his case is terminal and asks to be referred to a homeopath. How do you respond?

  • Referring patients for exercise - 24 February 2005

    The announcement this week, by the Department of Health that it would be offering training in sports and exercise to doctors may help to avoid some of the medico-legal dilemmas doctors face when referring patients for exercise.

  • Refusal of dental treatment - 11 August 2003

    Dentists often call the DDU dento-legal advice line wanting to know what to do if a patient refuses treatment. Iain Cuthbertson, dento-legal adviser at the DDU, gives dento-legal advice on an all-too-common scenario experienced frequently in dental practices throughout the country.

  • Refusal of treatment - 1 August 2006

    Dentists often call the DDU's dento-legal advice line wanting to know what to do if a patient refuses treatment.

  • Refusal of treatment - attempted suicide - 10 May 2004

    A 15 year old has attempted suicide and is refusing a gastric washout, blood test or IV drip. Her mother cannot be found and you think her life is at risk without treatment. What do you do?

  • Registration - 1 December 2000

    This article talks of registration, of what information needs to be taken and the importance of updating information. It also includes a case history and provides risk management advice

  • Regulation changes have significant impact on all GDPs - 15 March 2002

    The NHS General Dental Services Amendment (No 6) Regulations 2001 affect all NHS GDPs in England. The 2001 Regulations came into force on 14 December 2001 and may have a bearing on whether or not a dentist is able to practise as an NHS GDP.

  • Regulation changes have significant impact on all GPs - 20 February 2002

    The NHS General Medical Services Amendment (No 4) Regulations 2001 affect all NHS GPs in England. The 2001 Regulations came into force on 14 December 2001 and may have a bearing on whether or not a doctor is able to practise as an NHS GP.

  • Regulation of the dental team - the changes explained - 1 August 2006

    By July 2008, all members of the dental care team must be registered with the GDC in order to be able to practise. The new registration rules are designed to raise standards and devolve responsibilities in the care of dental patients but there are other dento-legal implications.

  • Regulation reform - 1 June 2007

    In February this year the Government responded to the Chief Medical Officer's proposals for the future of healthcare regulations in a White paper - Trust, Assurance and Safety - The Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st century.

  • Religion on prescription? - 12 July 2011

    The recent case of a GP who refused a formal warning from the GMC following a complaint that he had discussed religion with a patient* has triggered debate about whether it is acceptable for doctors to discuss issues of faith with patients or express their own personal beliefs, and if so in what circumstances.

  • Remote control in Nepal - 10 June 2009

    Lauren Newcomb coped with basic and freezing conditions when she spent her elective two days' walk away from the nearest hospital, high in the Himalayas.

  • Report calls for end to pharma industry gifts - 13 February 2009

    A recent Royal College of Physicians review recommends an end to pharmaceutical companies offering doctors free gifts, hotel stays, meals and other inducements of any value.

  • Report highlights importance of reporting incidents in primary care - 25 October 2007

    An influential group of MPs has concluded that "not all GPs understand the concept of clinical governance and how it relates to their day-to-day work and that PCTs "need to communicate more effectively … the importance of clinical governance systems" and how they contribute to maintaining quality and safety of healthcare.

  • Report writing – timing is everything - 4 June 2010

    A local newspaper recently reported that a GP was publicly criticised by a coroner at an inquest for failing to provide a report into the death of a patient, despite apparently being contacted five times over the previous seven months*.

  • Reporting criminal convictions and cautions - 3 November 2010

    A criminal conviction or caution while at dental school may mean you are unable to finish the course but as you can see below, it could also have serious implications for your ability to register with the General Dental Council and your future career.

  • Reporting criminal convictions and cautions - 9 July 2009

    Medical students need to pay attention to their behaviour before they qualify as it may affect their eventual ability to register with the GMC and their future career.

  • Resolving complaints - 6 April 2004

    Complaints can be distressing and upsetting experiences, but they also provide an opportunity for doctors and students to resolve a patient's concerns about their treatment at an early stage and help prevent it from turning into a negligence claim or GMC complaint.

  • Resolving confusion - 9 April 2010

    A medical student was taking a patient history. While doing so, the patient addressed the student as “Dr” and it became apparent that he assumed the student was fully qualified. The student did not correct the patient. The student later contacted the MDU to ask for advice on how he should have handled the misunderstanding.

  • Responding to suspected neglect and abuse of vulnerable patients - 6 June 2011

    Doctors have a legal and ethical duty to act if they believe a vulnerable adult patient is being subjected to exploitation, abuse or neglect but such is the sensitivity of such situations, which often involve other family members, they need to tread carefully.

  • Resuscitation update - 1 August 2006

    New guidance from the Resuscitation Council has been made simpler and easier to understand. New guidance has also been issued by the GDC.

  • Retaining patient records - 28 May 2003

    Members - or more often their Practice Managers - frequently contact us to ask how long they should retain dental records.

  • Retirement Planning - 2 August 2010

    Doctors planning for their retirement have much to think about - from the safe handover and ongoing clinical care of their patients, to financial, employment and contractual considerations. This article aims to help MDU members by setting out their ethical and medico-legal responsibilities.

  • Retiring from practice - 24 June 2011

    Retirement can be an exciting time, but for dental professionals it comes with added responsibilities, such as informing patients of your retirement plans, ensuring continuity of care and dealing appropriately with patient records.

  • Returned mail raises confidentiality issues - 1 October 2006

    The Royal Mail will now only return undeliverable mail if it has a return address on the envelope. This could create a breach of confidentiality, as other people in a patient's household will be able to see that a letter is from the doctor.

  • Review of complaints to the GMC - 1991/2001 - 15 March 2003

    Investigations by the GMC into complaints against doctors are on the increase. Dr Patrick Hoyte, senior research fellow at the MDU, investigates the trends in and outcomes of clinical and non-clinical complaints with which the MDU assisted members in a recent 30-month period (pdf document).

  • Review of complaints to the GMC against GPs - 1991/2001 - 13 January 2003

    GMC proceedings against GPs are decreasing in relative terms despite a background of complaints against the whole medical profession rising by 1450 per cent in the last 11 years, according to a new analysis by the MDU.

  • Review of GP orthopaedic claims - 18 March 2002

    Orthopaedics might not seem like an area of significant risk in primary care. Yet analysis of MDU claims over a ten year period reveals this was the second most frequent reason for a claim against a GP and only surpassed by misdiagnosis of malignancy.

  • Review of GP paediatric claims - 1 May 2002

    Claims involving children account for some 12 percent of all claims against GPs. according to analysis of MDU claims experience over a 10 year period.

  • Review of settled private urology claims - 8 April 2003

    Prostate surgery generates the highest proportion of all the settled claims in private-sector urology, according to a new analysis of 12 years of claims by Medical Defence Union senior research fellow Dr Patrick Hoyte.

  • Revision notes: Can you keep a secret? - 1 October 1998

    This article provides an outline of the practical impact of medical ethics. What practitioners need to consider when working within an ethical framework of practice. Examples of the challenges facing doctors from the MDU casebook.

  • Right patient - right care - 29 December 2004

    A new study has highlighted the different types of identification errors which occur in the NHS and highlights ways in which they might be prevented through basic, manual checks and the use of new technology.

  • Riots and confidentiality - 19 August 2011

    The rioting and looting in the cities of London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool this month prompted calls for those responsible to be reported to the police.

  • Risk factors for oral cancer - 1 October 1998

    This elective report is about a dental student who spent his elective in Leicester, studying the habitual use of alcohol, tobacco and paan among the local Asian population, with a view to setting up oral cancer prevention programmes.

  • Risk management in cancer screening - 15 July 2003

    Every day, on average, four people die in the UK from oral cancer. Mark Phillips looks at the legal implications of screening for oral cancer and provides a useful guide on the steps that should be taken.

  • Risk management in Endodontics - part one - 10 December 2004

    The first part of this two-part series looks at active steps that can be taken to prevent many of the common dento-legal problems that arise from endodontics.

  • Risk management in Endodontics - part two - 1 May 2005

    The second part of this two-part series looks at active steps that can be taken to prevent many of the common dento-legal problems that arise from endodontics.

  • Risk Management in the PRHO year - 1 May 2000

    This articles looks at some of the issues a newly qualified doctor may face and offers some risk management advice

  • Risk of chemotherapy medication error - 16 July 2007

    The MDU is aware of a small number of cases in which there have been errors in prescribing oral chemotherapy using "Z-Dex" protocols.

  • Risks of self–prescribing - 22 September 2011

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) receives a number of calls each year from GP members who are being investigated for self-prescribing drugs.

  • Royal mail industrial action - 20 October 2009

    The industrial action planned by Royal Mail postal workers may have an impact on members contacting the DDU.

  • Royal Medical Benevolent Fund - 1 September 2003

    When it comes to medical negligence claims, MDU members can relax, safe in the knowledge that they can approach the MDU. But what happens if they fall on hard times? Dr Ian Kelsey Fry, past President of the MDU and Trustee of the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund, describes the work of this charitable trust.

  • Safety in doses report - 30 October 2009

    The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has published a detailed review of medication incidents reported in 2007.

  • Same dentist rule - 7 April 2001

    As more practices are working partly outside of the NHS regulations, this brings with it a new set of potential problems. One such problem relates to the dentist who is in contract with the HA and has patients accepted under the continuing care schem

  • Saying sorry - 16 June 2004

    Clinicians in the United States have reported that saying sorry to patients and providing a prompt explanation has led to substantial savings in terms of of the time and money involved in settling claims, reflecting the advice that the DDU has been provoding for some time.

  • Saying sorry - 11 June 2004

    Doctors in the United States have reported that saying sorry to patients and providing a prompt explanation has led to substantial savings in terms of time and money involved in settling claims, reflecting the advice that the MDU has been providing for over 40 years.

  • Scottish Ombudsman critical of complaints–handling - 5 September 2011

    The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) has just published complaints statistics for the health sector in 2010-11*. In doing so, he criticised organisations for failing to respond appropriately to complaints when they were first received.

  • Seatbelt exemption certificates - 28 April 2003

    A GP recently contacted the MDU advice line after a patient asked for a medical certificate exempting him from wearing a seatbelt.

  • Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act - 9 July 2002

    New regulations in the Health and Social Care Act will affect the way confidential patient information is disclosed for purposes such as research and audit. Whilst at present the legislation serves to remove obstacles preventing disclosure, it could in the future be used to require dentists to release confidential details about patients.

  • Securing controlled drugs - 20 February 2009

    The MDU is regularly contacted by members seeking advice about the secure storage of controlled drugs (CDs) both at the practice and when carrying out home visits.

  • Security of electronic records - 25 June 2009

    The MDU reminds doctors of the importance of protecting confidential patient information held electronically

  • Self-prescribing - 23 March 2007

    A recent survey revealed that almost of half of GPs have prescribed medication for themselves in the past year, despite the risk of a GMC fitness to practise investigation.

  • Setting up a system to learn from events - 11 May 2006

    Complaints are an inevitable part of general practice, but they may also offer an excellent opportunity to learn from mistakes and make improvements.

  • Setting up in independent practice - 10 December 2010

    The Care Quality Commission’s new system of regulation for health and adult social care has wide medico-legal implications. If you plan to provide clinical services in the independent sector in England – or if you are already doing so – the regulations will affect you.

  • Setting up protocols for your practice - 1 May 2008

    As nurses’ roles have extended to include more complex medical services and healthcare assistants have become more involved in the delivery of care in general practice, appropriate protocols may help a practice to define roles and responsibilities within the healthcare team.

  • Seven steps to patient safety for primary care - 25 November 2005

    In a busy, pressurised GP practice, mistakes do happen although it's rare for patients to suffer harm as a result. However, it is sometimes possible to identify potential risks and take action to prevent such problems occurring in the first place, so improving the quality of care provided.

  • Shared care – ensuring patients don't lose out - 14 December 2010

    Good medical records and efficient communication are essential to effective patient care. In the MDU’s experience, breakdowns in these systems are regularly a factor in complaints and claims. This is particularly crucial at the interface between primary and secondary care.

  • Signing forms and declarations - 12 May 2010

    Dental professionals are in a position of authority and trust in the community which means they may occasionally be asked to countersign a form, such as a passport application, or provide a reference for a friend or colleague.

  • Skin deep – dermatology claims revealed - 1 November 2009

    While the risk of a dermatologist being sued is not high, the MDU is notified of around 10 claims or potential claims a year by dermatology members practising in the independent sector.

  • Sleep deprivation - 15 February 2002

    Following the sentencing of the sleep-deprived man involved in the Selby train crash, the MDU offers advice to members who may be deprived of sleep due to overwork.

  • So you want to work in A & E? - 24 November 2003

    Nakul Patel, a fifth year medical student at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, considers some of the pros and cons of specialising in Accident and Emergency Medicine.

  • Specialist advice on FAIs for procurators fiscal - 1 April 2011

    The Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit (SFIU) was officially launched in March 2011 to help procurators fiscal oversee investigations into sudden, suspicious, accidental and unexplained deaths including those involving medical treatment.

  • Sporting chance - 30 November 2010

    The MDU continues to offer indemnity to members involved in the treatment of professional sports people.

  • Standards for dental professionals - 30 September 2005

    In June 2005, the General Dental Council published its new ethical guidance, Standards for Dental Professionals, which replaces Maintaining Standards. The new guidance applies to all members of the dental team, including the new groups of Dental Care Professionals (DCPs) such as dental nurses who will start to register from 2006.

  • Staying safe in Lahore - 5 October 2009

    Yasmin Akram, from St Georges medical school, travelled for her elective to Pakistan, where she experienced a very unfamiliar political and medical culture.

  • Sterilisation equipment - 8 April 2002

    The MDU is advising GP members to check cleaning and sterilisation procedures and equipment in light of a new safety notice issued by the Medical Devices Agency.

  • Stress-busters - 1 September 2000

    This article talks of how to recognise and react constructively to stress throughout your career as a student

  • Stress-busters - 1 November 2000

    This article talks of how to recognise and react constructively to stress as a dental student

  • Student–patient relationships - 12 April 2010

    A female medical student had been speaking to a patient on the ward. As the student prepared to leave, the patient offered to give her his phone number. The patient added that he would very much like to see the student again and perhaps take her for dinner.

  • Students and consent - 7 March 2006

    Advice on obtaining a patient's consent for medical students to observe or carry out an examination.

  • Students in the surgery - 16 September 2005

    With places at medical school hotly contested, many school pupils will be contacting GPs to ask for work experience placements next summer.

  • Summary care records and patient opt–outs - 20 April 2011

    The Department of Health (DoH) has announced that it is again writing to patients about Summary Care Records (SCRs). The public information programme was suspended last year after concerns were raised about whether patients were being given enough information about the scheme and how to opt out.

  • Suspending NHS clinical staff - 14 November 2003

    The MDU welcomes the National Audit Office report published last week (6 November 2003), which describes the way the NHS manages the suspension of doctors as unfair, expensive and time consuming.

  • Swine flu – the FAQs - 13 August 2009

    As cases of swine flu in the UK continue to rise, calls to the DDU dental helpline from concerned dental health professionals have increased.

  • Tackling violent or abusive patients - 1 December 2007

    Recent surveys have revealed that many doctors have encountered violent or abusive patients. Here we summarise the practical steps doctors can take when dealing with the aftermath of such an incident.

  • Take action if a colleague causes concern - 26 January 2007

    A BBC survey for Real Story, Your Life in their Boozy Hands, 13 June 2005 found that over the previous 10 years, 750 hospital staff had been disciplined over alcohol and drug related problems.

  • Take care when amending records - 21 December 2006

    A medical record is a basic, but essential clinical tool. It provides a clear and accurate picture of a patient’s care and treatment and helps communication between health care professionals.

  • Taking medical histories - 9 December 2010

    Taking patient histories and obtaining consent from a patient is a vital first step before treating a patient, even for routine examinations and subsequent treatment. Rupert Hoppenbrouwers explains.

  • Team spirit - 1 August 2006

    GDC guidance The Principles of Dental Team Working addresses the key issues of working together to provide the best possible patient care across an extended dental team.

  • Terrorism and confidentiality - 24 June 2011

    The Government has just revised the UK’s anti-radicalisation Prevent Strategy* which seeks to ‘prevent people being drawn into terrorism’ and ‘work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation’.

  • The children of Novkini - 1 May 2000

    A medical student spent part of his summer in Belarus at an orphanage for children with special needs, where he discovered a very different approach.

  • The dangers of abbreviations - 1 June 2008

    The MDU has long warned members that the use of abbreviations in clinical notes can cause communication problems with medical colleagues and other healthcare professionals. Dr Sally Old, MDU medico-legal adviser, outlines some areas where difficulties can arise.

  • The Dentists Act 1984 (Amendment) Order 2005 - Article 35 - 20 May 2008

    Members have contacted us because they were concerned they may be acting illegally under the amended Dentists Act 1984 by providing dental treatment in some circumstances. The MDU has obtained clarification from the GDC and is able to reassure members about what treatment constitutes the practice of dentistry.

  • The doctor as a professional witness - 30 November 2009

    At some stage in their career, most doctors will be asked to attend court and for many it’s a daunting prospect. In this podcast, MDU medico-legal adviser Dr James Armstrong provides an overview of the legal system and gives advice on how to prepare for an appearance in court and give evidence.

  • The doctor as a professional witness - 6 December 2002

    Few doctors relish the prospect of giving evidence, but an understanding of what is involved - and of what to do and what not to do - can help to make the experience somewhat less daunting.

  • The doctor as an expert witness - 29 November 2011

    Expert witnesses play an essential role in assisting the court on specialist or technical matters and many doctors find such work intellectually challenging and a change from their day to day job. But what do doctors need to know before starting expert witness work and what are the pitfalls?

  • The employment of locums in general practice - 9 January 2009

    Locum doctors are a fundamental part of the healthcare service, providing cover for annual, study, sick and maternity leave and filling temporary vacancies. The system generally works well but occasionally problems can occur because there has not been a proper handover or induction or because concerns arise about the locum doctor.

  • The expert witness: a vital resource - 20 April 2006

    When a practitioner's competence, professionalism or fitness to practice are called into question - through claim or complaint - there may be a need for an independent expert witness, experienced in the specialty of the doctor concerned. Victoria Wilson, an MDU solicitor, outlines an expert's role, duties - and required background.

  • The GMC and disclosure of records - 12 July 2002

    GMC guidance regarding disclosure of records when it is not possible or practicable to get the patient's consent first.

  • The Healthcare Commission - 16 January 2007

    The MDU has received calls from a number of members asking about the Healthcare Commission and its registration requirements.

  • The hospital on the hill - 1 September 2000

    This article talks of two students' undertaking their elective in Fiji and their experiences

  • The importance of being truthful - 1 December 2007

    A dentist purchased a thriving private practice in a small market town from a retiring dentist. Within the first couple of months of taking over the practice, the member noticed that a number of patients had undiagnosed periodental disease and these patients had been regularly attending the practice.

  • The importance of reviewing a complaint - 2 June 2008

    The MDU reminds doctors that in the complaints process consideration should be given to include a significant event analysis to help resolve any underlying problems and reduce the possibility of the problems recurring.

  • The Inquiries Act - 1 May 2005

    The Inquiries Act which has recently received Royal Assent standardises procedure for holding public inquiries, including into NHS cases.

  • The legal position on tooth bleaching - 30 January 2007

    Public interest in private cosmetic dentistry is growing. Tooth bleaching is particularly popular but for UK dental professionals providing this treatment the legal position is far from clear.

  • The mangroves of Micronesia - 24 June 2003

    Following transits in Los Angeles, Honolulu and Guam and some 30 hours in the air, Emma Shears arrived in Yap, Micronesia on New Year’s Day 2002 for a 10-week elective spent at Yap State Hospital in Colonia, the island’s capital.

  • The MDU's guide to coroners' inquiries - 1 January 2011

    This is a pdf version of the MDU's guide to coroners' inquiries. It covers all stages including the investigation, writing a report for a coroner and the inquest.

  • The MedicAlert Foundation - 26 August 2004

    Active in the UK for over 38 years and endorsed by the Royal college of GPs and the British Association for A&E Medicine, the MedicAlert Foundation is the only non-profit making registered charity providing a warning system to help doctors identify patients with underlying medical condition and allergies.

  • The Mental Capacity Act - questions - 7 November 2007

    MDU members involved in decision making for people whose capacity is impaired need to be aware of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 which is now in force. The Act incorporates existing common law and practice but it also introduces a number of significant changes of which members need to be aware.

  • The Mental Capacity Act 2005 - 20 February 2008

    The Mental Capacity Act is now in force and doctors will need to be aware of its implications in their day-to-day practice. This detailed guide covers the main points of the Act for MDU members, from advance decisions and lasting powers of attorney to the Court of Protection and the use of restraint where patients lack capacity.

  • The National Care Standards Commission - 28 June 2002

    The Care Standards Act 2000 introduced a new regulatory system for the private and independent healthcare sector, with the aim of raising standards and strengthening accountability.

  • The National Patient Safety Agency - an update - 1 September 2003

    The primary purpose of the NPSA is to introduce and oversee a national reporting system for learning from adverse events and near misses in all sectors of the NHS. We provide an update.

  • The new Corporate Manslaughter Act - 30 June 2008

    Members are advised to review their risk management procedures now that NHS bodies as well as other public and private organisations, including GP partnerships, can be prosecuted for corporate manslaughter when gross failure in the management of health and safety results in death.

  • The next step: vocational training - 20 March 2003

    Having graduated from the Royal London Hospital in Summer 2001, Rajesh spent his VT year at an Ipswich Scheme practice in Colchester in Essex. Here he dispels some of the fears and concerns that final year students may feel in the pit of their stomach.

  • The NPSA: raising standards of patient safety - 1 May 2005

    Although human error is perhaps inevitable, when errors occur in relation to clinical care, the consequences for the patient concerned can be devastating. The NPSA are tackling the issues head-on to ensure mistakes are prevented.

  • The paperless practice - 26 November 2003

    What are the problems of going paperless? We look at some of the key issues that need to be addressed.

  • The right to refuse treatment - 16 April 2002

    The recent decision by the High Court to allow a woman paralysed from the neck down to end her life by refusing treatment upholds a competent patient’s right to decline treatment, even if it would lead to his or her own death.

  • The roadside dentist - 22 November 2002

    In August this year, Meera and Nakul Patel, training at St Bart's and the London School of Medicine & Dentistry, spent three weeks of their elective in India observing the practices of a roadside dentist in Gujarat State. This is a summary of their elective project writeup.

  • The true cost of defence - 13 December 2010

    It may surprise members to know just how much the cost of defending clinical members’ interests has risen in the last few decades.

  • Time for mandatory insurance - 7 December 2010

    Healthcare professionals and patients should have the reassurance of a contractual guarantee of indemnity for clinical negligence claims explains Dr Christine Tomkins, MDU chief executive.

  • Too much guidance? - 1 December 2007

    Almost every aspect of modern dentistry is subject to guidelines issued by the profession's governing bodies. Is it necessary to follow all the guidelines for every patient?

  • Tooth bleaching - cover for members - 30 January 2007

    DDU members who receive a complaint or claim relating to tooth bleaching can contact the DDU and seek our assistance in the usual way.

  • Tracking test results - 28 February 2011

    An attention-grabbing story in a national newspaper recently suggested that patient safety is being put at risk because up to three quarters of medical tests are not adequately followed up*. The article focused in particular on hospital patients, blaming the complex systems in place between laboratories and doctors.

  • Tracking test results in hospitals - 7 March 2011

    An attention-grabbing story in a national newspaper recently suggested that patient safety is being put at risk because up to three quarters of medical tests are not adequately followed up*. The article focused in particular on hospital patients, blaming the complex systems in place between laboratories and doctors.

  • Transfusion safety - 26 July 2004

    According to a recent report there was a 32% increase in adverse events relating to blood transfusions in 2003. The findings are echoed by the MDU's own claims experience.

  • Treating depression - 11 October 2011

    Depression is a common presentation in general practice and GPs are generally good at diagnosing and managing it. However, the nature of the condition and of the drugs used to treat it means there is perhaps a greater potential for adverse incidents and for these to result in harm to patients.

  • Treating your furry and feathered friends - 1 April 2002

    The GMC provides guidelines to registered practitioners advising doctors against self-medicating and prescribing for their families but what is the situation with members of our family of the four-legged variety?

  • Treatment and care towards the end of life - 14 July 2010

    The GMC’s guidance Treatment and care towards the end of life came into force on 1 July 2010, and replaces the GMC’s previous publication Withholding and withdrawing Life prolonging treatments (2002).

  • Treatment behind bars - 15 December 2010

    Clinical negligence claims involving prisoners as patients are relatively uncommon compared to claims in other specialties, yet they share a number of distinct features. Senior medical claims handler, Dr Pierre Campbell, reviews clinical negligence claims involving prisoners as patients which have arisen from MDU members’ practice.

  • Treatment of asthma - 20 July 2001

    This article looks at the recommendation for GP surgeries to carry oxygen for the treatment of severe or life threatening asthma.

  • Trust in doctors remains high - 17 March 2008

    Doctors have an ethical and professional duty to be honest and open and maintain public trust in the profession so it should not be surprising that they are still considered to be the UK's most trusted professionals, according to the results of the latest yearly poll commissioned by the Royal College of Physicians.

  • Understanding Continuing Professional Development - 20 December 2002

    For many dentists, understanding exactly what constitutes CPD and how it can be obtained has caused some confusion and anxiety. Ian Sunderland of the GDC outlines some answers to common questions the GDC receives.

  • Unlicensed MMR vaccine - 21 July 2005

    The MDU has received a number of calls from members who are concerned about the medico-legal implications of prescribing unlicensed medicines.

  • Update on GMC disclosure policy - 16 September 2005

    As a result of recent GMC announcements about changes to its policies on disclosure of information, the MDU has seen an increase in requests from members for information about the GMC's disclosure policies.

  • Update on Health and Social Care Bill - 7 February 2008

    On behalf of members, the MDU has raised with government officials and parliamentarians a number of concerns about the changes being proposed to doctor's regulation in the Health and Social Care Bill.

  • Violent patients and GPs' responsibilities under the new contract - 18 November 2003

    From 1 December 2003 Primary Care Organisations (PCOs) will have a responsibility to establish and operate Violent Patient Schemes (VPS) for patients in their area that have been subject to immediate removal from the patient list of either a GMS or PMS practice because of an act or threat of violence.

  • Ward Round Journal November 2011 - 10 November 2011

    Welcome to the seventh issue of Ward Round, the MDU’s dedicated journal for members in their foundation years. The theme of this edition is multiple jeopardy.

  • Welsh complaints procedure - 28 March 2011

    A guide to handling complaints in Wales provides comprehensive details on how the NHS expects hospitals and GPs to manage patient complaints.

  • What counts as CPD for dentists in vocational training - 1 July 2004

    For many recently qualified dentists, understanding exactly what constitutes CPD and how it can be obtained has caused some confusion and anxiety. Ian Sunderland, Recertification Administrator at the GDC outlines some answers to common questions the GDC receives.

  • When an error becomes a crime - 29 November 2010

    Dr Mike Devlin, head of MDU advisory services, looks at what makes an error a criminal act and argues that the way forward is improved clinical governance.

  • When patients love - or hate - you - 1 April 2003

    The doctor—patient relationship can lay doctors open to unwanted attention from their patients, both amorous advances and varying degrees of more aggressive harassment, which can at times reach dramatic and disturbing proportions. We look at the effect of such, fortunately rare, behaviour and advise on the best ways to avoid or deal with it.

  • Who can make a complaint? - 21 January 2010

    The DDU 24 hour advice line receives regular calls from dental members who have received a complaint concerning one of their patients. Often the complaint is made directly by the patient, but sometimes a relative or another third party will be the first one to contact the surgery.

  • Who comes first - colleagues or patients? - 23 December 2003

    When a dentist sees a new patient they may occasionally see work which raises questions about another colleague’s work. You face two dilemmas - first, what you should tell the patient and, second, what, if anything, you should do about the dentist.

  • Who has access to reports & records? - 21 July 2006

    The MDU regularly receives enquiries from members about whether they should disclose patient's records or medical information to third parties.

  • Who takes responsibility for missed appointments? - 18 November 2010

    Missed appointments cost the NHS hundreds of millions of pounds each year, and figures show that patients miss around ten million GP and five million practice nurse appointments each year*.

  • Who’s the Daddy? Patient requests for paternity tests - 16 March 2011

    We are occasionally contacted by GP members who have been approached by patients requesting paternity testing. Members are concerned about whether those affected have really thought through the implications and impact of the test results. GPs also question whether performing such a test falls within their area of expertise.

  • Why become a dentist? - 23 June 2003

    For a profession that attracts hundreds of new students each year, why is it that wanting to be a dentist is so surprising? Jessica Ross, fourth-year student at Royal London Dental School, talks about her reasons for wanting to be a dentist.

  • Why do I need the MDU? - 24 June 2003

    Why should you be a member of the MDU for your PRHO year and beyond? In this fictitious but thought-provoking tale, Dr Nicholas Norwell, an MDU medico-legal adviser, recounts the sorry saga of John, who finds his early experiences as a doctor very different to how he imagined.

  • Wilderness medicine - 24 June 2003

    Ever wondered what wilderness medicine is all about? A group of medical students from St George's Hospital Medical School, London, describe their experiences at the 2003 Winter Wilderness Medical Conference in Wyoming, USA.

  • Winning ways with sports medicine - 1 December 2007

    Most professional sportsmen and women now have access to state-of-the-art medical care, including a doctor specialising in sports medicine.

  • Withholding and withdrawing life prolonging treatment - 20 August 2002

    New guidance on withholding and withdrawing treatment has just been released by the GMC. The guidance emphasises that the decision to withdraw or withhold treatment from a terminally ill patient is such a serious one that doctors need to consult widely before acting.

  • Work experience students - 28 October 2009

    Having work experience students in the surgery can provide valuable experience for students who are thinking of a future career as a dental professional. However, it's not just a case of saying 'come in and watch me work'.

  • Working through the pandemic - 13 August 2009

    Rupert Hoppenbrouwers, head of the DDU outlines the guidance to dental members in the event that the flu pandemic becomes so severe that the services they provide to patients are affected.

  • Writing a response to a complaint - 1 April 2009

    Most doctors have to produce at least one written response to a patient's complaint during their professional career.

  • Wrong site surgery - 22 July 2011

    Patient safety experts and researchers in the United States believe that wrong site surgery is on the increase there.

  • www.how-about-a-practice-website.com? - 1 May 2007

    General practices are beginning to embrace the application of internet technology by setting up their own practice websites and the MDU recognises the potential the internet has in assisting clinicians to provide medical care.

  • Your dento-legal questions answered - 10 September 2003

    It doesn’t have to be a crisis to need dento-legal or ethical advice. You can turn to the DDU for help and advice at any time throughout your educational and professional life. Iain Cuthbertson, provides answers to questions asked by recently-qualified dentists.

  • Your dento-legal questions answered - 21 November 2002

    It doesn’t have to be a crisis to need dento-legal or ethical advice. You can turn to the DDU for help and advice at any time throughout your educational and professional life. Bryan Harvey, deputy head of the DDU provides answers to questions asked by dental students.

Q & A

  • Additional treatment whilst anaesthetised - 22 October 2002

    If after the patient is anaesthetised, a totally different pathology is observed, such as a small mole or other skin condition, is it not better practice to deal with it while the patient is anaesthetised?

  • Are GP trainers indemnified? - 1 April 2008

    Would MDU membership cover a claim against a GP trainer that relates to the actions of a GP registrar they have trained?

  • Can I ask for assistance when I am retired? - 30 July 2010

    Q - When I am retired, will I still be entitled to ask the MDU for assistance for claims arising from clinical incidents which occurred when I was an MDU member?

  • Consent for a repetitive procedure - 22 October 2002

    In the course of prolonged treatment a patient is having the same repetitive procedure. Would getting his consent only at the start of the course of treatment be enough?

  • Consent for a stomach washout - 13 November 2002

    How is it possible to get consent for a stomach washout in an emergency from a patient who is brought to hospital after an overdose that might endanger his life?

  • Consent for blood test - 13 November 2002

    If a patient gives consent for blood to be taken for examination, do I need to specify what tests are to be performed?

  • Consent for teaching purposes - 22 October 2002

    Do I need to have specific consent to teach practical procedures on a patient who has been anaesthetised?

  • FAQs on MDU practice group schemes - 23 October 2006

    The MDU's membership helpline often receives enquiries from practice managers concerning the benefits of MDU practice group scheme membership. The following Q&As may help answer some of the more common questions.

  • Intimate search of a prisoner - 13 November 2002

    Is a doctor or nurse legally obliged to carry out an intimate seach on a prisoner who does not consent to it?

  • Is payment of a bill sufficient consent? - 22 October 2002

    Do I need to get consent from a private patient in a private hospital, who apparently consents to a procedure by being admitted and agreeing to pay the bill?

  • Membership FAQs – practice staff - 1 April 2008

    The MDU's membership helpline often receives enquiries from practice staff concerning their MDU membership. The following Q&As may help answer some of the more common questions.

  • Missing consent form - 22 October 2002

    If the consent form is missing from the clinical records, is it possible to defence a claim of negligence?

  • Should I warn of wisdom tooth extraction risk? - 23 October 2002

    Some procedures carry significant risk: should I warn all patients who are to have lower wisdom teeth extracted of the possibility of postoperative paraesthesia of the tongue?

  • What is a session? - 19 May 2010

    Not all subscriptions are sessional based, but if yours is, the following guide to calculating a session may help.

Case Histories

  • A bad case of indigestion - 21 May 2010

    A GP faced a claim following the death of a patient from upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The patient had previously presented with epigastric pain and the family alleged his death could have been prevented if the GP had made an early referral for endoscopy.

  • A claim comes out of the past - 1 May 2009

    An Irish doctor faced a claim brought by a patient who developed chronic and intractable pain following a vasectomy. The patient alleged that the doctor had failed to warn him of the risk of long-term pain and that he would not have agreed to the procedure had he been fully informed.

  • A colleague causes concerns - 21 December 2010

    A dentist had concerns that a colleague’s clinical performance was becoming increasingly inconsistent.

  • A complaint out–of–time? - 1 May 2009

    A GP sought help from the MDU in dealing with a patient’s complaint made some four years following the events complained of. The patient alleged she had become dependent on antidepressants prescribed inappropriately by the GP following the loss of her mother.

  • A complaint resolved - 1 November 2003

    Complaints based on an inaccurate interpretation of the facts can often be resolved by a speedy explanation to the complainant.

  • A contraindicated headache-prescription - 26 April 2006

    When treatments for the alleviation of everyday symptoms are inappropriately prescribed, they can have significant implications for a patient's existing condition.

  • A covert matter - 1 May 2009

    A GP practice sought advice from the MDU on the legal and ethical implications of administering medicines to elderly nursing home residents without their knowledge.

  • A delayed diagnosis - 24 November 2010

    A GP contacted the MDU to request assistance with an Ombudsman’s investigation into a complaint from the daughter of a deceased patient.

  • A dying wish - 17 December 2010

    A GP member contacted the MDU advice line following a complaint from the family of a deceased patient whose long-standing wish had been to donate her body to medical science. The patient had talked about her wish with another GP in the practice. The discussion was documented in the patient’s records and signed by the patient.

  • A fatal complication of chickenpox - 22 December 2010

    A four-year-old was 'grumpy and irritable' after returning home from nursery. He then developed spots and his mother suspected chickenpox.

  • A late night caller - 1 May 2009

    A GP sought help from the MDU in dealing with an ex-patient whose unwanted telephone calls to the GP’s home had begun to take on a threatening tone.

  • A midwife's duty of care - 1 February 2003

    In this case history the question at issue was whether a midwife who shared care with and was supervised by a GP was liable for her own acts and omissions when the GP was unable to attend a patient.

  • A mistaken fistula - 1 February 2003

    The MDU spends a considerable amount of money defending members' claims. As most claimants are in receipt of legal aid, the MDU rarely recovers its defence costs if a claim is successfully repudiated - but in this case, we did.

  • A rarity within a rarity: when presenting symptoms don't quite add up - 31 August 2004

    In cases where there has been a delayed diagnosis, or where a diagnosis is made only after an unfortunate outcome, the successful defence of a claim often depends on whether the practitioners involved have investigated the presenting symptoms to an appropriate degree.

  • A reasonable diagnosis - 17 December 2010

    A 28-year old woman saw her GP, a member of the MDU, complaining of a lump in her breast which had been present for five days. The young woman had no history of breast problems.

  • A sensitive issue - 1 February 2002

    A dentist used a diamond bur in an air rotor to strip the interdental enamel from imbricated lower incisors causing severe sensitivity for the patient.

  • A view from abroad - 31 May 2008

    The following case study illustrates the importance of informing patients of the lifespan of their dental treatments and anticipating a timetable of future treatment.

  • A whiter shade of pale - 31 May 2008

    DDU members are reporting an increasing number of complaints and claims arising from the provision of tooth bleaching. The following case history concerns that of a young man whose expectations proved too great.

  • A witness to fact - 21 December 2010

    A dentist received a request from the police to provide them with a report on a teenage girl’s dental condition. The member had seen the girl as an emergency appointment at the practice a few weeks earlier, after she had reportedly been involved in a fight after school.

  • Abnormal results missed - 1 January 2002

    Two doctors failed to check the results of a blood test which resulted in delay in diagnosis of muscular dystrophy.

  • Acute epiglottitis - 1 May 2002

    A GP failed to diagnose acute epilglottitis. Despite treatment once diagnosed, the child died.

  • Administrative error - 1 February 2002

    A number of administrative errors resulted in delay treating LR7 and its subsequent unnecessary loss.

  • Advice about a lump - 17 December 2010

    A patient’s claim alleged that his GP failed to advise him about reattendance for review of a lump.

  • Alleged assault - 1 May 2009

    A GP locum sought help from the MDU after being made the subject of a complaint alleging that he had touched a patient inappropriately during a physical examination.

  • Ambulance arrangements - 1 December 2002

    A patient alleged that a doctor should have called a 999 ambulance rather than an urgent one. The case was successfully defended.

  • An optimistic claim - 5 June 2002

    A patient's tooth fractured during extraction and the remainder of the root was surgically removed 5 months later. The patient claimed damages in excess of £60,000, most of which related to loss of earnings.

  • An urgent problem - 6 December 2010

    A patient alleged her obstetrician and gynaecologist had not warned her of the low success rate of collagen injection to treat stress incontinence.

  • Asthma resulting in hypoxic brain damage - 1 June 2002

    A known asthmatic declined steroid treatment in pregnancy, resulting in a very severe asthmatic episode. Despite bedside treatment from her GP, ambulance delays meant that hypoxic brain damage could not be prevented.

  • Back pain became cauda equina - 16 December 2010

    The patient was a 46-year old man with a history of recurrent low back pain. He had a severe attack six months before and had had an x-ray which showed some degenerative changes. He consulted his GP, an MDU member, complaining of left leg pain and some numbness.

  • Bad publicity - 10 December 2010

    A clinical director found his practice was the subject of a General Dental Council (GDC) investigation when, unknown to him, the practice advertised itself in the local Yellow Pages as a ‘centre of excellence’.

  • Bilateral amputation - 17 December 2010

    The 34-year old female patient injured her knee while running. Although she was initially able to walk, by the following day her knee was increasingly painful and stiff so she attended her local accident and emergency department.

  • Breast abscess or cancer: a matter of judgement - 1 December 2006

    A youngish woman, with a history of successfully treated axillary abscesses and no family history of breast cancer, presented to her GP with a tender breast lump and was treated with antibiotics. When later she was referred to a busy breast clinic she was found to have extensive carcinoma.

  • Cancer not present at first presentation - 6 December 2010

    This case concerns a young man who tragically died of testicular cancer at just 25 years of age. He initially saw his GP complaining of a lump in his scrotum. Two years later, he developed a tumour in his right testicle. Before his death, he brought a claim for clinical negligence against the GP.

  • Cerebral palsy after forceps delivery - 1 January 2002

    A claim for damages went to trial 20 years after a baby was delivered by caesarean section after a failed attempt at forceps delivery.

  • Claim for alleged inappropriate treatment defended - 28 February 2007

    At the first attendance of a new patient, a dentist noted substantial dental decay and a chronic periodontal condition. In particular UL6 was heavily restored with gross recurrent caries around the margins of the restoration.

  • Claim for misread records - 1 January 2002

    A solicitor sought compensation after an expert orthopaedic surgeon misread the clinical records.

  • Coincidences can happen - 22 December 2010

    A middle-aged woman with a family history of coronary heart disease was seen by an out-of-hours GP after developing chest pain. She complained of central chest pain, moving to the left side which she described as like a knot.

  • Communication error - 4 October 2005

    An SHO was coming to the end of his first week in Accident and Emergency. It was 7 pm on Friday and he should have gone home over an hour ago but the department was busy and his Registrar asked him if he could see one last patient.

  • Compartment syndrome after tibial fracture - 1 January 2002

    A patient developed severe anterior and posterior compartment syndrome after tibial fracture caused circulatory embarrassment resulting in amputation.

  • Complex cleft palate - 22 December 2010

    This case concerns a female patient with an extremely complex dental history. She had been born with a cleft lip and palate, and had undergone cleft lip repair within her first year, and cleft palate repair by bone graft to the upper alveolus at age 11.

  • Conflicting opinion - 16 December 2010

    A patient who suffered a detached retina claimed he had not been warned that this was a risk of cataract surgery, an allegation denied by the MDU member.

  • Criminal records - 17 December 2010

    The police approached a GP member of the MDU requesting contact details for a patient they were investigating in connection with a high value fraud. They also wanted to know when the patient had last visited the surgery.

  • Damage from air polisher? - 7 April 2002

    Alleged damage to upper central incisor during tobacco stain removal with an air-jet polisher by a dental hygienist.

  • Delay diagnosing appendicitis - 21 May 2009

    A father brought a claim against a GP following the delayed diagnosis of appendicitis in a child who presented with symptoms consistent with a gastrointestinal viral infection. It was alleged that the diagnosis could have been made earlier had the GP conducted a rectal examination.

  • Delay in diagnosing appendicitis - 1 June 2007

    A GP received a letter of claim more than four years after a consultation, alleging he was negligent for failing to refer a patient with abdominal pain to hospital.

  • Delay in diagnosis of spinal abscess - 1 January 2002

    A patient with cellulitis in the legs developed non-specific signs which were eventually shown to be caused by an extradural spinal abscess.

  • Delayed cauda equina diagnosis: when symptoms aren't apparent - 1 December 2006

    While lower back pain can have a variety of causes, cauda equina syndrome has very specific symptoms which we featured in our Journal article in July 2004. In this case, a GP member made a home visit to a colleague's patient who, both at the time she was first seen and on the following day, displayed none of the characteristic signs.

  • Delayed decompression - 1 January 2002

    Late decompression of a patient's shin resulted in lateral popliteal nerve palsy and weakness of dorsiflexion and inversion of the left foot.

  • Delayed diagnosis but no damage - 16 December 2010

    A lump in the breast diagnosed as a benign sebaceous cyst turned out to be an invasive ductal carcinoma. The MDU successfully defended the GP member, proving that any delay in diagnosis did not affect the outcome.

  • Delayed diagnosis of a broken wrist - 1 January 2002

    A patient fell outside his doctor's surgery but the delay in diagnosing his fractured wrist led to a claim for negligence.

  • Delayed diagnosis of Hodgkins disease - 1 October 2003

    A prolonged presentation of Hodgkins disease was initially diagnosed as asthma, and appeared to respond to asthma treatment. Although a case was brought against the doctor for delay in diagnosis, supportive expert evidence was received and the case was resisted.

  • Delayed diagnosis of melanoma - 1 January 2002

    An initial error in diagnosis was compounded by follow up mistakes which in turn led to a 4 year delay in diagnosis of malignant melonoma in a young woman.

  • Delayed diagnosis of rectal cancer - 26 April 2006

    When a patient attends frequently, even with an apparently benign symptom, is it time to consider further investigations?

  • Delayed Diagnosis of Seminoma - 1 January 2002

    Two GPs treated a testicular swelling as orchitis resulting in a four month delay in diagnosis of a seminoma.

  • Delayed referral - 1 March 2002

    Displacement of upper third molar into maxillary antrum. Failure to determine its position and arrange prompt and appropriate specialist referral.

  • Denture dissatisfaction - 10 December 2002

    A patient complains of pain, distress and cosmetic embarrassment following the fitting of a new implant retained overdenture.

  • Detached retina - 1 January 2002

    A GP failed to diagnose a retinal detachment resulting in irreversible visual loss.

  • Difficult children - 3 July 2002

    Anybody who has pointed a toothbrush in the direction of a child will appreciate the difficulties encountered by dentists when treating them. These two case histories involving uncontrollable children show how a complaint can involve the GDC, the pol

  • Displaced root - 6 January 2002

    Displacement of palatal root on extraction into the maxillary antrum which needed to be removed under general anaesthesia.

  • Don’t forget the small print - 1 May 2009

    A junior doctor sought help from the MDU after being referred to the GMC by a hospital trust. He had inadvertently failed to disclose a prior caution and a conviction where requested to do so on an application form.

  • Driving licence revoked - 1 December 2003

    A patient alleged that a GP was wrong to inform the DVLA that she was driving against medical advice. The case was successfully rebutted.

  • Drunk in charge of bicycle - 1 January 2002

    A blood sample for blood alcohol levels was taken for the police from an intoxicated patient after a bicycle accident.

  • Dupuytren's contracture - 1 January 2002

    A man developed severe reflex sympathetic dystrophy after an operation for dupuytren's contracture.

  • Ear syringing - 1 July 2003

    Ear syringing is a common procedure which can occasionally result in serious damage to a patient. These two non-UK cases highlight the importance of warning a patient of the risks involved in even a "minor" procedure.

  • Eardrum perforated - 1 January 2002

    A practice nurse perforated an eardrum whilst syringing a patient's ear.

  • End of life dilemma - 17 December 2010

    The case of a patient who expressed an intention to commit suicide raises an interesting question about confidentiality.

  • Endotracheal tube retained in stomach - 1 January 2002

    An anaesthetist used a plain ET tube to assist the passage of a nasogastric tube, however this was forgotten and remained in the stomach of the patient for over seven years.

  • Epidural abscess - 6 December 2010

    A 60-year old male patient was referred privately to our member, an experienced consultant orthopaedic spinal surgeon, for investigation of debilitating coccydynia.

  • Excellent records prevented claim - 1 January 2002

    A deaf woman became pregnant again shortly after a caesarean section. Detailed records showed that she had been offered a wide range of contraceptive options and the claim was withdrawn.

  • Face–to–face with the PCT - 21 December 2010

    A patient complained to her local PCT that her dentist, a DDU member, had not carried out any treatment to address the pain she reported. The patient also complained that the practice failed to respond to her initial complaint.

  • Factual dispute resolved by weather report - 15 April 2003

    This case shows the lengths to which the MDU must sometimes go in order to defend a member's reputation and to ensure that an unjustified claim is rejected.

  • Failed laparoscopic surgery - 1 January 2002

    A patient became pregnant after sterilisation, both fallope rings were found to have been wrongly applied.

  • Failed vasectomy - 1 October 2003

    While the patient did not succeed in his attempt to sue a GP for negligence after a failed vasectomy, this case highlights the need for GPs to use detailed consent forms which are explicit about the slight risks of a late return to fertility.

  • Failure to adequately monitor liver and lung function - 1 December 2007

    A GP faced a claim for damages which alleged that his failure to carry out routine periodic blood tests on a patient prescribed long-term antibacterial treatment resulted in liver damage and other complications.

  • Failure to diagnose heart disease - 16 December 2010

    A patient with a history of indigestion and hypertension alleged that her GP had negligently failed to diagnose heart disease. She later had a heart attack.

  • Failure to diagnose meningitis - 1 October 2002

    Nine years after the event, a parent alleged that a GP failed to diagnose meningitis in her child. The GP had since died and the medical records had been destroyed.

  • Failure to exclude malaria - 1 January 2002

    A GP failed to consider malaria in a patient who had been travelling in Ghana - the patient then died.

  • Fainting following extraction - 27 February 2003

    A 12-year old fainted following administration of anaesthetic for a series of extractions. The mother alleged that the dentist had injected her child five times giving excess anaesthetic.

  • Feline tales - 1 December 2002

    Cats may have nine lives, but the rest of us have to make do with one. And even that can be blighted by a feline friend, as Dr Nicholas Norwell found when he opened some MDU files.

  • Fractured instruments - 7 April 2002

    A patient was left with fragments of fractured instruments in two upper pre-molar teeth following root canal treatment. Subsequently both teeth were heavily restored but have a poor prognosis.

  • GDC Professional Conduct Committee - 1 April 2002

    A dentist was brought before the Professional Conduct Committee for failing to advise the parents personally of his decision to remove their children from his list.

  • Get a grip - 10 December 2010

    A member’s inadvertent slip with a dental elevator during a routine extraction resulted in the patient making a claim.

  • Granting a deathbed wish - 1 May 2009

    A GP sought advice from the MDU following a request made by a dying patient that sensitive but relevant clinical information be withheld from his death certificate. The GP was sympathetic to the patient’s wishes but was concerned that complying with the request might not be permissible.

  • Haematoma after venepuncture - 1 January 2002

    A GP failed to give proper advice to a patient on warfarin who experienced a haematoma after venepuncture.

  • Haemophilus influenza meningitis - 10 July 2002

    Failure to diagnose meningitis in a child whose symptoms included sleepiness, a high fever, vomiting and tiredness.

  • Headaches not an indicator of acromegaly - 22 December 2010

    An otherwise healthy woman in her early 30’s saw her GP shortly after registering at the practice. She complained of headaches occurring once or twice a week for about a year. The headaches whereon the left side, and the patient told the GP that she felt these were work-stress related.

  • Inadequate tongue protection - 3 June 2002

    Although a dentist had taken precautions, the patient sued because her tongue bad been cut during treatment. The dentist was vulnerable to the allegation of negligence and a settlement was made.

  • Inadequate treatment - 10 July 2002

    On the advice of her previous dentist, a patient complained of substandard treatment following a lengthy period of restorative work.

  • Incomplete notes on femur fracture - 1 October 2005

    Thorough examination and recording of findings is a vital part of good clinical practice, and can assist in the defence of claims at a later date.

  • Infertility following termination - 6 December 2010

    A patient brought a claim against a gynaecologist for alleged negligence in performing a termination which resulted in hysterectomy.

  • Inhaled tooth - 12 July 2002

    A child inhaled a tooth during extraction; obstructing his breathing and requiring hospital treatment to obtain respiratory control. The case went to trial and raised some important issues about correct procedure.

  • Ischaemia in the toes - 17 December 2010

    It was alleged that an MDU GP member did not spot the early stages of ischaemia, nor referred the patient to hospital quickly enough to avoid the loss of her toes.

  • Lack of notes - 1 March 2004

    Adequate note-taking is an essential part of good clinical practice, and failure to do so can prejudice the defence of a claim.

  • Late referral of a pregnant woman - 19 March 2002

    Organisational problems resulted in the delayed referral of a pregnant woman. She was too late for prenatal diagnostic testing and subsequently delivered a child suffering from down's syndrome who died from heart problems.

  • Latrogenic chemical arthritis - 1 March 2002

    A patient's knee was wrongly irrigated with an irritant solution resulting in early osteo-arthritis.

  • Loss of vision - 1 January 2002

    A five year old boy lost sight in one eye after a delay in diagnosis of his traumatic retinal detachment.

  • Malignant melanoma - 4 January 2004

    A patient died from a melanoma whose primary site was the nail bed. Expert advice suggested that the GP was not negligent for missing this rare diagnosis.

  • Management of dental pain - 19 December 2006

    A dentist provided an emergency consultation on a Thursday evening for a patient complaining of severe pain in the upper right quadrant of her mouth. The patient was not an NHS registered patient at the practice and the dentist clearly explained that it would therefore be necessary for her to pay a private fee of £50.

  • Marital secrets - 17 December 2010

    A couple – a 35-year old woman and her 49-year old male partner – had been trying to conceive for two years, ever since their marriage.

  • Migrated coil - 4 March 2004

    A patient had a coil fitted which subsequently migrated into the peritoneal cavity. The patient alleged the coil had been fitted negligently.

  • Miscarriage following laparoscopy - 16 December 2010

    An MDU member was accused of failing to establish whether the patient was pregnant before proceeding with diagnostic laparoscopy.

  • Misdiagnosed root fracture - 5 April 2002

    Failure to diagnose root fracture resulting in inappropriate treatment and inevitable loss of an upper central incisor.

  • Misdiagnosis of acute pulpitis - 1 September 2002

    Failure to diagnose acute pulpitis as opposed to wisdom tooth symptons and administrative delays in arranging follow up treatment.

  • Misdiagnosis of bony metastases - 1 January 2002

    A patient was incorrectly diagnosed and treated for bony metastases over a number of years. Subsequent x-rays and scans revealed degenerative changes relating to osteoporosis.

  • Misdiagnosis of pneumonia - 23 April 2002

    A complaint which is based on a misunderstanding of the facts can sometimes be resolved once the true situation is made clear.

  • Missed ankle fracture - 1 October 2002

    An incorrect interpretation of an X ray in casualty led to a long delay in the diagnosis of a serious ankle fracture.

  • Missed deep vein thrombosis - 1 May 2003

    The patient refused admission to hospital for exclusion of the diagnosis of a deep venous thrombosis. She re-presented with breathlessness and it appears that insufficient weight was given to the earlier presentation with leg pain, as she subsequently died of pulmonary embolism.

  • Missed eclampsia - 1 July 2003

    A GP failed to diagnose eclampsia resulting in the need for an emergency casaerian section.

  • Missed pregnancy - 1 June 2003

    A patient alleged negligence against her GP for failing to diagnose her pregnancy. On the basis that two negative pregnancy tests had been performed, and because the patient was overweight, the case was successfully rejected.

  • Must doctors comply with guidelines? - 21 December 2010

    A patient was admitted to the orthopaedic ward for a total knee replacement. The anaesthetist, a member of the MDU, assessed him pre-operatively and discussed the use of prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin post-operatively to reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism.

  • Mystery abdominal pain - 22 December 2010

    A man in his 30’s attended his GP complaining of pain in the lower abdomen which had begun that morning. There was no associated nausea or vomiting.

  • No alert to patient penicillin allergy - 26 April 2006

    Inadvertently prescribing a drug that triggers an allergic reaction can have serious - sometimes fatal consequences. GP records need to carry clear and visible warnings.

  • No negligence - 23 March 2002

    Just because a complication has occurred it does not mean that there has been negligence. Unfortunately, even when negligence has not occurred there is still the possibility of litigation.

  • Non-contemporary notes - 1 June 2002

    Just prior to trial, a GP revealed that he had innocently re-written a patient's clincial note to provide further clarity and destroyed the true contemporaneous note. This made the case difficult to defend.

  • Not to be tolerated - 1 May 2009

    A practice manager sought advice from the MDU about the possibility of removing from the practice list a patient who had been racially abusive about one of the doctors.

  • Off the record conversation - 20 December 2010

    A patient claimed that a GP’s failure to arrange for him to undergo a repeat blood glucose test and to treat his diabetes mellitus resulted in his suffering an acute myocardial infarction.

  • Once bitten - 1 May 2009

    A GP sought advice from the MDU after a prescription error resulted in a patient taking the wrong drug. Although the GP issued an apology the patient later brought a claim alleging that the drug had contributed to her involvement in a road traffic accident.

  • Opthalmic case study - 1 December 2007

    The following is a fictitious claim based on salient features of actual cases handled by the MDU on behalf of its members regarding opthalmic issues.

  • Patient request for cessation of ventilation - 15 November 2006

    A young patient with motor neurone disease requested cessation of ventilation. The case received a great deal of publicity at the time and it is a significant judgment.

  • Patient responsibility - 1 February 2003

    A patient was prescribed a topical treatment which she used incorrectly, resulting in skin damage. She failed in a claim against the GP when it was found that she had been given appropriate directions by the GP and that the medicine was clearly labelled with a warning about applying to normal skin.

  • Penicillin allergy - 11 September 2002

    A dentist overlooked a patient's recorded allergy to penicillin and prescribed a course of amoxycillin. The patient subsequently suffered an anaphylactic shock.

  • Perforation of the uterus - 20 December 2010

    A patient in her mid-30s was referred by her GP for termination of pregnancy under general anaesthetic. The uterus was 12 weeks size at the time of termination.

  • Permanent scarring - 5 October 2002

    The patient had scarring at the corner of her mouth allegedly from damage during routine surgery.

  • Persistent knee trouble - 21 May 2009

    A GP faced a claim for allegedly failing to refer a 12 year old boy who presented repeatedly with knee pain over an eighteen month period. The child was eventually diagnosed with a slipped femoral epiphysis and was left with some deformity following surgical fixation.

  • Prescription error - 9 May 2002

    A patient was prescribed amoxycillin but his dental records indicated he was allergic to penicillin.

  • Pressure to breach confidentiality - 1 October 2002

    A GP was pressurised by the police to provide a paient's name after a patient disclosed their intention to commit suicide.

  • Prostate cancer - 1 January 2002

    A consultant physician failed to diagnose prostatic cancer in a patient with back pain.

  • RCT hazard - 2 May 2002

    Ingestion of an instrument during root canal treatment which subsequently caused the patient symptons.

  • Recalcitrant appendicitis - 1 March 2003

    A surgeon's management of an unusual case of recalcitrant appendicitis was successfully defended by the MDU's legal team.

  • Refusal to pay - 1 January 2002

    A patient refused to pay her fees after labial surgery and instituted criminal and civil complaints. When these were unsuccessful, she shot and wounded the surgeon.

  • Removal from a GP list - 24 November 2010

    A GP member received a complaint from a patient who had been removed from the practice list.

  • Repeat prescribing - 14 January 2002

    A practice with 10,000 patients may issue as many as 25,000 repeat prescriptions each year. A routine and repetitive task, it is one in which mistakes can easily be made and from which a significant percentage of MDU claims arise.

  • Repeat prescribing errors - 1 January 2002

    A collection of cases following MDU research into errors involving repeat prescribing.

  • Restoration story - 21 December 2010

    At a new patient consultation, a dentist, a DDU member, noted that the man in his 60s had heavily restored teeth which required some remedial work. UR6 was in poor condition and, in the dentist’s opinion, required crowning.

  • Retained root - 5 September 2002

    Dentist unable to locate mesio-buccal root during surgical extraction of UR7. The patient did not return the following week as planned and two months later needed surgery for an oral-antral fistula.

  • Retained root - 20 December 2002

    A dentist found himself the subject of a claim about a retained root from a previous extraction by another dentist years before.

  • Ruptured Achilles tendon - 17 December 2010

    A 36-year old male patient attended his GP, a member of the MDU, complaining of an injury to his right ankle.

  • Ruptured appendix - 1 May 2002

    A child with persistent abdominal pains was visited by different GPs on five separate occasions. On being admitted to hospital after the fifth visit, the child was found to have a ruptured appendix.

  • Same day radial keratotomy - 1 January 2002

    An ophthalmologist operated on a woman on the same day she was seen in clinic, without a GP referral, nor eliciting a full medical history.

  • Scorpion sting - 23 March 2002

    After a child was stung by a scorpion, the GP faced a difficult decision about whether or not to administer anti-serum. He decided not to and the child died.

  • Sedation error - 23 April 2004

    Even though an IM injection was deemed immediately necessary to sedate a violent patient, expert advice to the MDU suggested that it was unacceptable to give the injection into the deltoid muscle. The case was settled for a small sum.

  • Seeing double - 21 December 2010

    A patient who suffered enophthalmos and diplopia following an assault claimed her GP had not referred her to hospital in time for corrective surgery. She was, she alleged, left with permanent damage which prevented her from working.

  • Sepsis untreated - 23 April 2003

    After a joint injection, a patient developed suppurative arthritis and died from complications. Expert evidence was critical of a failure to provide adequate follow up to the patient, and the claim was settled.

  • Severe post–extraction infection - 22 December 2010

    A male patient in his 40s underwent the extraction of LL5, LL7 and LL8, but suffered a severe post-extraction infection, resulting in the need for emergency drainage under general anaesthesia at hospital.

  • Steroid-induced glaucoma - 1 March 2002

    Long-term prescribing of steroids for atopic eczema resulted in glaucoma. Delay in referring patient after visual symptoms developed caused severe visual impairment.

  • Streptococcal septicaemia - 9 December 2002

    A GP was accused of negligence as a result of a delay in admitting a baby with streptococcal septicaemia to hospital. Following an expert's evidence that the GP had "acted in a wholly professional way", the judge did not find the GP negligent in any respect.

  • Sutured nerve - 6 December 2010

    Routine knee surgery left a patient with numbness in the lower leg and foot drop. She brought a claim alleging failure to warn of potential common peroneal nerve damage – a known complication of meniscal repair surgery.

  • Telescoping symptoms - 22 December 2010

    A businessman visited his doctor in December 1996 complaining of lumbar back pain, thought to be right-sided sciatica, from which he had suffered for 20 years.

  • Tension pneumothorax during anaesthesia - 1 May 2003

    A woman was admitted for laryngoscopy and oesophagoscopy. During anaesthesia, the catheter impacted in a small bronchus resulting in the rupture of multiple alveoli and terminal bronchioles.

  • Testicular pain after vasectomy - 1 January 2002

    A patient had a sperm granuloma after a vasectomy caused testicular pain, but the case was successfully defended at trial.

  • Text warning - 21 December 2010

    A GP practice set up a system to allow them to text patients with appointment reminders and test results.

  • The hazards of foreign travel - 1 December 2007

    A GP was accused of delay in diagnosing deep vein thrombosis after failing to spot the condition in a woman who, following an exotic holiday, attended her practice with a spider bite to the leg.

  • The lost post - 22 December 2010

    In the mid-1990s a general dental practitioner member examined a male patient with a heavily restored dentition. The patient had porcelain jacket crowns on both upper central incisor teeth. Radiographs taken three years later showed these teeth to have been restored using tapered cast posts supporting the overlying crowns.

  • To whom it may concern - 1 May 2009

    A GP sought advice from the MDU in dealing with a request for a letter concerning the health of two young children. The request came from a family member who did not have parental responsibility and the GP was uncomfortable with the suggested content of the letter.

  • Trauma to floor of mouth - 4 April 2003

    The rotating bur of the air turbine caused a laceration to the patient's mouth which led to hospital treatment being needed some months later.

  • Treatment of diabetic patient - 22 January 2002

    A patient died of complications related to gangrene and it was not possible to defend the case because of a failure to treat intensively, coupled with a failure to re-examine the patient, and an insufficiently urgent hospital referral.

  • Undiagnosed oral cancer - 9 November 2002

    A patient visited her dentist with a large painful ulcer on the side of her tongue. The dentist thought the ulcer was of traumatic origin and provided routine care but the patient died within a year.

  • Unexpected complication of dental extraction - 5 February 2002

    The unexpected complication of a fractured tuberosity during the removal under general anaesthesia of an upper second molar. The patient was immediately referred to a specialist unit.

  • Unnecessary hysterectomy? - 1 March 2003

    This case highlights the potential pitfalls of dealing with a patient who demands interventional treatment. From a risk management perspective, asking a colleague for a second opinion in difficult and potentially controversial cases may be helpful.

  • Unsubstantiated allegation of negligent delivery - 22 January 2002

    Sometimes a very rare condition can be confused with the outcome of negligent treatment. The MDU ensures that all cases are properly investigated with the aid of expert advice, and defends cases wherever it is possible and prudent to do so.

  • Ureteric damage - not negligent - 1 January 2002

    A judge in Ireland stated that damage to the ureter during hysterectomy is an accepted hazard and not invariably negligent.

  • Wedding teeth - 1 October 2002

    A dentist received an adverse dental reference officer's report regarding the maintenance of anterior teeth and the provision of a partial denture for a patient with severe chronic periodontitis and extensive caries.

  • Working beyond competency - 4 October 2005

    A paediatrics SHO was six weeks into the job. She had received three days of induction training at the start of the post. It was departmental policy that new SHOs were accompanied to deliveries by a registrar for their first month in post.

  • Wrong blood - 1 May 2009

    A junior doctor sought help from the MDU following an adverse incident on the labour ward. The doctor had inadvertently mixed up blood samples taken from two patients, resulting in a ‘near miss’ when one of the patients later required a blood transfusion.

  • Wrong prescription - 9 December 2002

    The MDU settled a case in which penicillin had been prescribed instead of penicillamine to a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. There were some concerns about the safety of prescribing systems.

  • Wrong speculum - 1 December 2003

    A GP mistakenly re-uses a speculum on a patient, potentially exposing her to a serious communicable disease.

  • Wrong testis removed - 1 January 2002

    A patient suffered a devastating psychological reaction after his only functioning testicle was removed.

  • Wrong tooth extracted - 6 March 2002

    An orthodontist recommended removal of a patient's upper first pre-molar teeth but unfortunately the dentist removed the equivalent lower teeth by mistake.

Advice Calls

  • A colleague under the influence - 21 April 2006

    A GP sought advice about a female colleague who had been turning up late recently and there was suspicions of alcohol abuse

  • A gift too far? - 25 April 2006

    A doctor receives a cheque from one of his patients' on his birthday, he rang the MDU advisory helpline for advice.

  • A phantom pilot - 22 December 2010

    An A&E consultant had recently assessed a patient who had suffered a deep vein thrombosis in her calf a few weeks earlier. The patient did not attend for follow-up appointments and it seemed likely she was not fully compliant with her anti-coagulant treatment.

  • A report for social services - 9 December 2010

    The DDU's 24-hour freephone advisory helpline is available to answer members' dento-legal queries and can provide support in difficult circumstances.

  • Access to child‘s medical records - 1 June 2000

    An estranged father requested access to his daughters medical records pending court proceedings over access. The records contained reference to the mother's health and details of distress following access.

  • Advance refusal of an epidural - 13 November 2002

    A patient stated in her birth plan that she did not want an epidural. During labour she was in severe pain and asked for the decision to be reversed.

  • Advice line dilemma – End of life treatment - 2 December 2010

    The MDU's medico-legal advisers are available on the 24-hour Advisory Helpline all day, every day, and out-of-hours for emergencies, providing members with instant advice on medico-legal and ethical issues.

  • Advice line dilemma – prescribing - 1 May 2005

    The MDU's medico-legal advisers are available on the 24-hour Advisory Helpline all day, every day, and out-of-hours for emergencies, providing members with instant advice on medico-legal and ethical issues.

  • Advice line dilemmas – HIV status - 6 December 2010

    A junior doctor in anaesthesia was inserting a central venous line preoperatively in a patient who had sustained a massive abdominal injury in a car crash and required emergency surgery to a ruptured spleen. During the procedure, he sustained a needlestick injury.

  • Advice line dilemmas – I've got a gun - 6 December 2010

    A consultant community psychiatrist treating a patient with manic depression and symptoms of paranoia was alarmed when, during a routine consultation, the patient calmly announced that he had an illegal handgun at home. He added: "I'm telling you because I know you have to keep it between us."

  • Altered prescription - 1 January 2001

    Is a doctor allowed to confirm to an employer that a sick note has been fraudulently altered.

  • An embarrassing position - 7 December 2010

    I was with a female patient recently and purely for convenience put some dental instruments on the bib on her chest. To my surprise she seemed embarrassed, almost outraged. What advice can you give me?

  • An inspector calls - 15 December 2010

    A hospital consultant received correspondence from a local tax inspector, in which invoices containing the names and addresses of patients whom she had treated in the independent sector were requested in order to investigate her annual tax return.

  • Antique gun collection - 1 January 1998

    A psychiatrist treating a patient under the Mental Health Act is aware that the patient has a collection of guns at home and has concerns he might use them.

  • Armed robbery - 1 January 2000

    Should a doctor disclose information to the police about a group of patients if one of them might be a threat to the public?

  • Assisting police with enquiries - 1 May 2002

    Whilst treating a patient brought in by the police, an SpR thought she may have seen the patient with a knife. How much information should she tell the police?

  • Beyond the call of duty - 26 April 2006

    A medical SHO sought advice as she had been rostered on to be on call for acute medicine but had not been on call for this before.

  • Breach of confidentiality - 1 January 2002

    A GP mistakenly gave a patient's husband a referral letter disclosing that the patient was planning a termination of a pregnancy by another man.

  • Capacity - an ethical dilemma - 31 January 2008

    The MDU’s freephone 24-hour advisory helpline is available to answer members’ medico-legal queries and can provide support in difficult circumstances. Dr Kathryn Leask, an MDU medico-legal adviser, gives an interesting dilemma of a patient who does not wish to be treated.

  • Capacity and withholding consent - 1 May 2005

    A GP was visited by an elderly patient and his daughter, the daughter was concerned as the patient occasionally seemed confused. The GP examined the patient who then refused further tests, the GP called the MDU for advice on the patient's refusal for further treatment.

  • Changing a child's surname - 1 January 1998

    A patient wanted to change the surnames of her children following a break-up and wanted to amend the medical records accordingly.

  • Chaperones - 1 December 2007

    Here we look at some composite, fictitious cases based on actual MDU records concerning chaperones.

  • Comments the patient shouldn't see - 1 January 2002

    Should a locum disclose medical records which contain an insulting comment about the patient or should he get the author's consent.

  • Confidence at sea - 1 January 1998

    This article discusses whether a doctor should disclose information obtained without consent when the disclosure is felt to be in the public interest

  • Consent from third parties - 2 June 2002

    An insurance company dealing with a travel claim provided a copy of a consent form signed by the patient's husband. Is this valid for disclosure?

  • Consenting an adult with dementia - 1 January 1998

    This advice call talks about performing surgery on a patient with dementia without their consent, and their next of kin is some distance away

  • Death threats: is there a duty to warn? - 1 January 1998

    This advice call refers to a patient who told his GP that he was going to kill someone and what the GP should do. This advice call also provides insight into the landmark Tarasoff case

  • Diabetes vs animal rights - 1 January 1998

    This advice call talks of a patient who refused treatment because of her belief even when it meant saving her life

  • Disclosure of confidential information to the police. - 1 December 2006

    A patient was brought by the police to casualty complaining of abdominal pains. She told the casualty doctor she had swallowed heroin wrapped in condoms but was not prepared to stay in hospital. Should the doctor breach confidentiality and inform the police; enabling the patient to be monitored further?

  • Duty of Confidentiality - 1 January 2001

    A GP was asked by police to confirm whether a patient who was a known drug addict had attended his surgery to obtain controlled drugs.

  • Extra-marital dilemma - 1 January 1998

    This advice call talks about a GP asked to represent a husband in divorce proceedings when both parties are patient's of his

  • Falsified prescriptions - 1 January 1998

    This advice call addresses the issue of whether information can be disclosed to the police

  • Fees for notes - 1 April 2003

    What is the maximum that can be charged for providing copies of notes?

  • Get husband's permission - 1 January 1998

    This advice call talks about information in reports that is not obtained directly from a patient

  • Hand it over - 7 December 2010

    Should I simply hand over records when I receive a request from a solicitor?

  • Have I admitted liability? - 1 June 2001

    This advice call asks if offering your condolences to a family of a deceased patient (when they had criticised your management style), is admitting liability

  • HIV disclosure - 22 December 2010

    An MDU member, a senior trainee in obstetrics, had been standing in for the consultant, who was away. A 38-year-old solicitor had attended the clinic at 22 weeks in her first pregnancy. The patient had come to the consultation alone and was clearly distressed.

  • Honesty is the best policy - 7 December 2010

    I prepared a post crown but failed to notice I had created a small perforation. The next day the patient returned in pain and was seen by a colleague. What should I do when I see the patient for their review tomorrow?

  • In–patient detention under the Mental Health Act 1983 - 15 December 2010

    A patient attended A&E at 2am after taking a non-accidental overdose. The patient did not require further physical treatment but the junior hospital doctor treating him was concerned that the patient still posed a significant risk to himself, but was refusing admission to hospital.

  • Irresponsible act - 1 January 2000

    Should a doctor disclose information to the police about a gun given to a suicidal patient?

  • Keeping private records at home - 1 October 2000

    This article talks about the issue of storage and retention of records in regards to how long records are to be kept

  • Legal advice on criticism of coroner - 1 June 2001

    This advice call makes reference to a member seeking advice on what they can do when they feel they have been defamed by the coroner

  • Liver transplantation - an ethical dilemma - 1 January 1998

    This advice call refers to a patient who requires a liver transplant to greatly improve his chance of living but has expressed the request for no further treatment

  • Make me a champion - 22 December 2010

    A GP registrar saw a 14-year-old girl who attended with a friend and asked for a prescription for oral contraceptives. The girl was physically mature and appeared to have a good understanding of the advice the doctor gave about contraception.

  • Medical records - 1 January 2000

    Should a doctor remove an entry in the patients notes that they believe is incorrect?

  • MMR dilemma - 1 May 2002

    A GP was asked to administer the MMR vaccine to a child but both parents were not in agreement.

  • Non-urgent appointment - 1 May 2002

    A patient turned up at a Saturday morning surgery for emergency patients demanding a repeat prescription for sleeping tablets.

  • Nursing home prescriptions - 1 January 2000

    Should a GP use a prescription chart for medications prescribed for residents of a nursing home?

  • Observing parental reprimand - 1 May 2005

    A practice nurse witnessed a mother slapping her child, she called the MDU for advice as to whether she should take any action.

  • Parental Responsibility - 1 January 1998

    This advice call talks about the parental responsibility agreement and the purpose and use it serves

  • Patient confession - 1 June 2007

    A patient confessed to her GP that she had been shoplifting due to feeling down. Should the GP notify the police?

  • Permission of coroner to perform a transplant - 1 June 2001

    This advice call asks if a transplant surgeon can perform a transplant on a deceased patient as soon as possible when the death has been reported to the coroner because of its nature

  • Police request for CCTV footage - 1 June 2007

    A patient had her purse and credit cards stolen when attending a GP surgery. Would the GP breach client confidentiality by giving the CCTV footage to the police?

  • Possession of drugs - 6 October 2001

    Should the police be informed if a patient is found with an illegal drug?

  • Prescription of amoxycillin - 3 September 2001

    A dentist administered a 3g dose of dispersible amoxycillin to a child instead of the recommended 750mg dose.

  • Public display of images - 15 December 2010

    A hospital consultant contacted the MDU for advice on the consent required to display histological and radiological images. He was involved in planning a major medical exhibition that would be open to members of the public.

  • Record keeping - 1 April 2002

    Failure to complete a dental treatment plan (or form FP17DC) could leave a dentist open to an allegation of breach of terms of service.

  • Reluctant witness - 1 January 1998

    This advice call brings up the issue of a whether a GP should issue a sick certificate when they do not feel one is needed for medical reasons

  • Retention of medical records - 19 March 2004

    The MDU is advising doctors to increase the amount of time they retain patient records, something it says may be made easier by the introduction of electronic patient records.

  • Ring of confidence - 1 December 2007

    Confidentiality and disclosure problems are one of the key areas of concern for members ringing the MDU 24-hour medico-legal advice line.

  • Should GP's arrange paternity testing? - 1 October 2000

    This article concerns a request for a paternity test to be arranged by a GP by a young mother, and the advice given to her regarding the correct procedure and channels to go down.

  • Stick to the protocol - 9 December 2010

    Treatment plans should contain enough information to communicate effectively the treatment requirements for the individual patient.

  • Suspected child abuse - 1 April 2003

    Following suspected child abuse, the police requested sight of the fathers medical records.

  • Taking the wrong X rays - 1 January 1998

    This article explains when a 71 year old patient complained of knee pain after a fall which misled the Casualty office and a hip fracture was missed

  • The abandoned baby - 1 January 1998

    This advice call talks about whether a GP should disclose the identity of an abandoned baby's mother when she is a patient of his

  • The whole truth - 1 October 1998

    This advice calls talks of a GP asked to not disclose certain facts when writing a report for one of his patients

  • Unnecessary fillings? - 1 September 2001

    A patient complained of unnecessary fillings 13 years after having the treatment.

  • Unnecessary Hysterectomy? - 1 January 1998

    This advice call asks if it necessary to apply to the court to perform a hysterectomy for menorrhagia on an adult who lacks the capacity to consent

  • Unsatisfactory bridge - 6 February 2002

    Following the patient's initial approval, a dentist fitted a bridge which the patient subsequently complained about. The dentist wanted to know if he could charge for the remake.

  • Violent consequences - 6 September 2001

    A patient's claim of police assault and loss of a tooth did not agree with the dental records which showed the tooth in question was extracted 6 months earlier.

  • Wanting to die? - 19 December 2006

    A GP was called to an unconscious patient who had left a note saying he wanted to die. The GP contacted the MDU as he wished to know if he could accept the man's written instructions not to intervene.

  • Whiter than white - 9 December 2010

    Even when a child is assessed to be Gillick competent, it is prudent to seek to involve the parents in the consent process, with the child's agreement.

News

  • British pharma industry updates its code of practice - 19 December 2006

    When branded medicines can have life-and-death implications, it is vital for pharma companies to deal ethically with healthcare professionals. The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry outlines the provisions of its recently updated code of practice.

  • Cautionary tales and advice - 14 August 2007

    Our teams deal with a wide variety of cases ranging from advice on approaching a tricky situation through to complaints and claims. We've compiled a selection of these which we hope you will enjoy reading.

  • Dates for the diary - 9 February 2012

    Are you planning to visit any of the events listed below? Do you want to speak to a dento-legal adviser in person? Why not visit the DDU stand where you will find a dento-legal adviser who will be available to answer any dento-legal questions you may have.

  • DDU awards dental teacher of the year - 24 March 2003

    Three finalists battled it out to be voted the DDU Dental Teacher of the Year. Choosing the overall winner was extremely difficult.

  • DDU Educational Awards 2006 - 9 June 2006

    The DDU is pleased to present its 2006 Educational Awards which recognises and rewards outstanding dental educators.

  • DDU GDP e-journal December 2004 - 1 December 2004

    Risk management in endodontics, NHS complaints procedure and guidance on latex allergy. All covered in this pdf version of the DDU GDP e-journal December 2004.

  • DDU GDP e-journal January 2003 - 5 January 2003

    Tooth bleaching, Good Samaritan acts and a guide to Continuing Professional Development (CPD). It's all in this pdf version of the DDU e-journal.

  • DDU GDP e-journal January 2004 - 28 January 2004

    Concern about a colleague's standard of care, combining NHS and Private Dental Treatment and the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. It's all covered in this pdf version of the January 2004 GDP e-journal

  • DDU GDP e-journal July 2003 - 5 July 2003

    How long you should keep patient's records for, behind the scenes of a claim and risk management in cancer screening. It's all covered in this pdf version of the DDU e-journal.

  • DDU Journal April 2009 - 28 April 2009

    This information packed edition includes three pages of 'Advice line dilemmas', it also covers the latest dental news and case studies.

  • DDU Journal April 2011 - 20 April 2011

    In this edition of the DDU Journal we look at how accepting a police caution might affect your career, discuss the contentious issue of whether or not dentists can call themselves ‘Dr’ and advise on how text messaging can be controversial.

  • DDU Journal April 2012 - 4 April 2012

    In this edition of the DDU Journal we look at the changes the GDC has made to its fitness to practice processes, the importance of gaining valid consent, and we continue our series of articles on the career pathways for dental graduates.

  • DDU Journal August 2006 - 5 October 2006

    Regulation of the dental team, 50 years of the GDC, advice on refusal of treatment - it's covered in this pdf version of the DDU Journal.

  • DDU Journal August 2010 - 23 September 2010

    In this issue, we highlight how dental practices could risk falling foul of the law if they mention proprietary brands of botulinum toxin and other prescription-only medicines in their advertisements and marketing literature and our usual selection of interesting member advice from our case files.

  • DDU Journal December 2007 - 19 December 2007

    Conscious sedation, complaints myth-busters - it's covered in this pdf version of the DDU Journal.

  • DDU Journal December 2009 - 18 December 2009

    This edition of the DDU Journal looks at the power of the word 'sorry', a case study on breaching GDC guidelines and a wrap-up of the 2009 DDU Educational Awards.

  • DDU Journal February 2007 - 12 February 2007

    Tooth bleaching, treatment plans, apologising to patients, fitness to practise - it's covered in this pdf version of the DDU Journal.

  • DDU Journal May 2005 - 10 May 2006

    Managing your money as a dental student, advice on becoming an associate and risk management in endodontics - it's covered in this pdf version of the DDU Journal.

  • DDU Journal May 2008 - 1 May 2008

    The challenges of cosmetic dentistry today, the rewards of vocational training - it's covered in this pdf version of the DDU Journal.

  • DDU recently qualified dentist e-journal February 2003 - 1 February 2003

    A look at common complaints or claims, an explanation of CPD and what to do if you suspect a colleague of alcohol abuse. It's all covered in this pdf version of our e-journal for recently qualified dentists.

  • DDU recently qualified dentist e-journal July 2004 - 1 July 2004

    Maintaining and retaining patient records, CPD and vocational training and an inapporiate diagnosis case study. It's all covered in this pdf version of the DDU e-journal for recently qualified dentists.

  • DDU recently qualified dentist e-journal May 2003 - 1 May 2003

    How long should you retain patient records? Top tips to avoid complaints and behind the scenes of a claim. It's all covered in this pdf version of the DDU e-journal for recently qualified dentists.

  • DDU recently qualified dentist e-journal October 2002 - 1 October 2003

    What you need to know about fitness to practise procedures, how to minimise risk and what do you do if asked to provide medical assistance in an emergency? It's all in this pdf version of the DDU e-journal for recently qualified dentists.

  • DDU student e-journal June 2003 - 1 June 2003

    Retaining patient records, training in the Community Dental Service and the role of your local DDU dental liaison manager. This is a pdf version of the June 2003 student e-journal.

  • DDU student e-journal March 2003 - 1 March 2003

    Help with planning your vocational training, the experiences of a recently qualified dentist and how to deal with an amorous patient. This is a pdf version of the DDU student e-journal.

  • DDU student e-journal November 2002 - 1 November 2003

    Managing your money as a student, good communication in dental practice and an elective report from Gujurat, India. It's all in the PDF version of the DDU student e-journal.

  • DDU student e-journal November 2004 - 1 November 2004

    Diagnosis of dental pain, communication skills and your dento-legal questions answered. It's all here in this pdf version of the DDU student e-journal.

  • DDU student e-journal October 2003 - 1 October 2003

    Help with planning your elective, the first in our series of important legal cases and what to do if you have concerns about a patient's previous dentist's work. It all covered in this pdf version of the DDU student e-journal.

  • DVLA updates Fitness to Drive guidelines - 17 September 2004

    The DVLA has recently updated its online Fitness to Drive guidelines and discontinued the circulation of paper copies. The September 2004 version is now available on their site.

  • Employment Law Seminar - 23 September 2010

    The MDU Employment and Law Seminar held in Manchester in June 2010 was designed for GP partners and practice managers, or others who are responsible for employment issues within the practice. The seminar was run in partnership with Peninsula Business Services Ltd.

  • Ethical Dilemmas - 1 May 2010

    A selection of short dilemmas (anonymised for confidentiality), which illustrate some of the situations where the MDU has assisted consultant members.

  • Five legal landmarks - 13 December 2010

    The MDU goes the extra mile to defend our members where matters of professional principle are at stake. In the last 125 years we have a successful record of doing just that. These cases from the MDU archives show how our determination and expertise has helped us win landmark legal judgments and bring about positive changes for members.

  • Good Practice Journal April 2011 - 24 March 2011

    This issue of Good Practice looks at the complex medico-legal and ethical challenges GPs face when caring for patients at the end of their lives; warns of the specific vulnerabilities of pre-term babies; and explores options for managing ‘do not attends’. Also in this edition, you can read about GROUPCARE, the MDU’s new group scheme.

  • Good Practice Journal May 2012 - 3 May 2012

    Our main feature in this edition of Good Practice explores the issue of doctor-patient communication and describes how GPs can try to ensure they and their patients are on the same wavelength. Also, Dr Mike Devlin, gives an insight into the most frequent reasons for members to contact us for help concerning an alcohol-dependent patient.

  • Good Practice Journal October 2011 - 20 October 2011

    This issue of Good Practice covers a wide range of topics from an analysis of prostate cancer complaints and claims, to requests from the police to disclose patient information, as well as some reassuring advice about the position of the GP when a patient wishes to deliver her baby at home.

  • Good Practice Journal September 2010 - 1 September 2010

    This issue of Good Practice looks at meningitis and the difficulties of diagnosis. It also also cover confidentiality issues around gun ownership, retirement planning and health and safety issues in surgeries.

  • Good Samaritans - 30 June 2008

    The MDU’s advisory helpline occasionally receives calls from members worried about the possible consequences if they answer the all ‘is there a doctor in the house’. The prospect of giving assistance as a Good Samaritan can cause unnecessary anxiety among doctors, but this article seeks to dispel some of the medico-legal myths.

  • GP Good Practice Journal March 2010 - 12 March 2010

    Welcome to the inaugural issue of Good Practice, a NEW journal for MDU GP and GPST members. This edition looks at Medico-legal dilemmas posed by advances in computer technology, the GMC’s new powers to help it deal with vexatious complaints and the new amnesty facility being offered to the medical profession by HM Revenue & Customs.

  • GP interviews mean business - 28 February 2007

    You may already be thinking about applying for your first job in general practice and if so, it might be a good time to consider reviewing your interview technique and preparing yourself for something totally different.

  • GP Registrar Update – June 2008 - 11 July 2008

    This is a pdf version of the June 2008 GP Registrar Update. This issue focuses on Good Samaritan acts with some real life stories from our medico-legal advisers.

  • GP Registrar Update – September 2009 - 1 September 2009

    This issue looks at the potentially tricky area of home consultations, a fatal complication of chickenpox and the risks of unwanted attention through social networking sites.

  • GP Registrar Update – April 2004 - 1 April 2007

    This is a pdf version of the April 2004 GP Registrar Update - a journal specifically for GP registrars. In this issue we look at consent.

  • GP Registrar Update – December 2004 - 1 December 2007

    This is a pdf version of the December 2004 GP Registrar Update - a journal specifically for GP registrars. In this issue we look at complaints.

  • GP Registrar Update – January 2008 - 26 February 2008

    This is a pdf version of the January 2008 GP Registrar journal. This issue looks at the Mental Capacity Act and also provides advice for doctors applying for a partnership position in general practice.

  • GP Registrar Update – March 2009 - 3 March 2009

    This is a pdf version of the January 2008 GP Registrar journal. This issue looks at the Corporate Manslaughter Act, the dangers of sleep-working and GMC guidance on new posts.

  • GP Registrar Update – September 2003 - 18 September 2007

    This is a pdf version of GP Registrar Update - the new journal specifically for GP registrars. The theme of this edition is communication.

  • inpractice Journal December 2009 - 1 December 2009

    This issue of inpractice looks at possible dilemmas when accepting gifts from patients, removal of patients from GP practice lists and asks the question, "Are you confident about confidentiality"?

  • inpractice Journal December 2010 - 13 December 2010

    This issue of inpractice highlights recent developments in the powers available to the Information Commissioner to impose fines where there has been a serious contravention of the Data Protection Act. It also covers tips on dealing with aggressive or violent patients, and MDU advice to members on the use of chaperones in general practice.

  • inpractice journal May 2008 - 27 May 2009

    Electronic record keeping, setting up practice protocols and the medico-legal implications of CCTV - its all in this pdf copy of our journal for practice managers.

  • inpractice journal October 2008 - 19 November 2009

    This is a PDF version of the MDU's inpractice journal. This issue covers flexible working and work experience requests in practice.

  • Journal of the DDU April 2002 - 15 April 2003

    Data protection, advanced restorative dentistry and electronic patient records - it's all in this pdf version of the Journal of the DDU April 2002.

  • Journal of the MDU April 2003 - 1 April 2007

    Behind the scenes of a claim, accompanying group foreign travel and a review of GMC complaints. It's all this pdf version of the MDU journal.

  • Journal of the MDU July 2004 - 13 August 2007

    The diagnosis of Cauda Equina Syndrome, hospital record keeping and advice on being a professional witness - all covered in this pdf version of the MDU journal.

  • Journal of the MDU May 2002 - 24 May 2007

    Adverse incident reporting, data protection and a review of GP paediatric claims. It's all in this pdf version of the MDU journal May 2002.

  • Journal of the MDU October 2002 - 11 October 2007

    Confidentiality in criminality, services for sick doctors and orthopaedic claims. Download the Journal of the MDU October 2002.

  • Journal of the MDU September 2003 - 20 September 2007

    A members' court case diary, the role of the health service ombudsman and the importance of chaperones. It's all in this pdf version of the September 2003 journal.

  • Junior doctors training - 14 April 2005

    The MDU has always maintained that good communication is an essential part of patient care, and one of the key factors in the prevention of claims and complaints.

  • Leeds study day: Errors in radiology - 20 October 2010

    St. James's University Hospital has developed a study day on 21 January 2011, at which MDU medico-legal adviser Ed Nandasoma will be speaking.

  • MDU article on the BBC News website - 9 July 2010

    Most people will expect GPs to raise concerns about a patient with access to guns or co-operate with the police if they ask for medical information about a gun owner but doctors’ duty of confidentiality means that is not always straightforward.

  • MDU Journal April 2006 - 5 April 2007

    Celebrating 120 years of the MDU, new GMC guidance on management and child protection advice. This is a pdf version of the MDU Journal April 2006.

  • MDU Journal April 2012 - 29 March 2012

    This issue's lead feature contains practical advice on the medico-legal aspects of 'putting things right' after an adverse incident. We also look at claims arising from spinal surgery and the apparent rise in defensive medical practice in the United States.

  • MDU Journal December 2006 - 19 December 2007

    Major changes planned for healthcare regulation, highlights of the new GMC prescribing advice and advice for members involved in the conduct of clinical trials. This is a pdf version of the MDU journal December 2006.

  • MDU Journal December 2007 - 19 December 2007

    Treating under 18s, handling violent patients, confidentiality and reducing risk in ophthalmology.

  • MDU Journal December 2010 - 25 November 2010

    In this edition, we take an in-depth look at the difficult medico-legal area of medical manslaughter and question whether it is always right that an error with a catastrophic outcome should result in criminal prosecution for the doctor.

  • MDU Journal January 2009 - 29 January 2009

    Expert witnesses under cross-examination, keeping patient information secure, patient consent and a closer look at avoiding claims in gynaecology.

  • MDU Journal June 2007 - 1 June 2007

    Out-of-hours complaints in primary care, missed malignancies in general practice and a reminder that the Mental Capacity Act comes into force.

  • MDU Journal June 2008 - 27 June 2008

    Controlled drugs, the new Corporate Manslaughter Act and reducing suicide risk in depressed patients - it's all in this pdf version of our journal.

  • MDU Journal June 2010 - 28 May 2010

    This is the June 2010 edition of the MDU journal. This special 125th anniversary issue includes a review of bariatric surgery claims and looks at some of the risk surrounding shared care.

  • MDU Journal June 2011 - 16 June 2011

    This issue focuses on effective communication with patients and colleagues. We explain what happens when communication goes wrong and what makes a good communicator. We also discuss the importance of providing remediation evidence at GMC hearings and shed light on the high profile ‘Bloodgate’ case.

  • MDU Journal May 2005 - 30 May 2007

    NHS computerisation, Monitoring quality and maintaining confidentiality and Sharing patient's records. This is a pdf version of the MDU Journal May 2005

  • MDU Journal November 2009 - 30 November 2009

    In this issue of the MDU Journal, we look at the hidden dangers of social networking, prosecuting cases of assisted suicide, analysing anaesthetic claims and recap on the MDU Coventry roadshow.

  • MDU Medico–Legal Seminar Coventry - 23 February 2010

    The MDU Medico-Legal Seminar gave members the opportunity to meet MDU medico-legal advisers and take part in interactive workshops. Watch as Dr Chris Evans, MDU President and Chairman, and Dr Christine Tomkins, MDU Chief Executive, speak at the event.

  • MDU Medico–Legal Seminar Coventry introduction and preview - 23 September 2010

    The MDU Medico-Legal Seminar gave members the opportunity to meet MDU medico-legal advisers and take part in interactive workshops. Watch as Dr Chris Evans, MDU President and Chairman, and Dr Christine Tomkins, MDU Chief Executive, speak at the event.

  • MDU membership for paramedics - 28 March 2007

    For the first time, paramedics can now have access to the same support that doctors have relied on for over 120 years.

  • MDU student e-journal June 2003 - 1 June 2003

    An elective in Micronesia, ethics in practice and what to do if you suspect drugs are affecting someones clinical performance. It's all in this pdf version of the June 2003 student e-journal.

  • MDU student e-journal March 2003 - 9 March 2003

    An elective in A & E, tips on planning your elective and managing your money as a student. It's all covered in this pdf version of the March 2003 student e-journal.

  • MDU student e-journal November 2003 - 1 November 2003

    Choosing the right revision course, communication skills and an elective in Australia. It's all in this pdf version of the MDU student e-journal.

  • MDU supports Welsh compensation scheme - 1 December 2008

    The NHS Redress Act 2006, which has yet to come into force, outlined a faster, less "legalistic" system for investigating potential claims and compensating patients harmed by negligence in NHS hospitals. Earlier this year the Welsh Assembly published its own proposals to introduce the scheme in Wales.

  • Medical professionalism - 14 December 2005

    A working party of the Royal College of Physicians has suggested that doctors need to rethink their professional image in order to maintain the trust of patients who are demanding a greater say in their healthcare.

  • Medico–legal pitfalls in depression - 1 June 2008

    Depression is generally successfully diagnosed and managed by a patient’s GP. However, on rare occasions problems may occur, including a number of tragic cases where a GP may not have fully appreciated the risk of suicide.

  • More CHARM from the MDU with its new membership system - 8 March 2004

    At the MDU, we value our heritage as the world's first medical defence organisation, but also believe in looking to the future. This is no better reflected than in our investment in Information Technology, the most recent of which is our new membership system.

  • Mutual strength - 13 December 2010

    It is 10 years since the MDU introduced a contractual professional indemnity policy. Today, the MDU’s unique combination of insurance and discretionary benefits continues to provide members with the best possible protection.

  • Self assessment risk management booklet now available - 23 December 2003

    The DDU has recently launched a second risk management module to help dentists and their teams identify hazards and examine areas of potential concern that relate to records, consent and confidentiality.

  • The Dentistry Awards 2009 - 14 August 2009

    The DDU is delighted to be supporting the Dentistry Awards 2009 and we would like to encourage young dentists to enter the Best Young Dentist category

  • Travelling abroad as a group doctor - 30 June 2008

    Our medico-legal advisers were all practising healthcare professionals before joining the MDU, and many have found themselves in emergency situations where they have been required to perform a Good Samaritan act. They share some of their experiences in this article. Some of the details have been altered to disguise the identities of the patients.

  • Ward Round Journal April 2010 - 12 April 2010

    This issue of Ward Round looks closely at the theme of patient confidentiality and considers when a breach may be justified in the public interest.

  • Ward Round Journal April 2012 - 17 April 2012

    In this issue, we look at what makes a successful clinical handover and how FY doctors can play a central part. We also examine the challenges of working in a multi-disciplinary team and how these might be overcome, and explain what to consider when referring a patient to a doctor from another specialty.

  • Ward Round Journal December 2010 - 1 December 2010

    Welcome to the fifth issue of Ward Round, the MDU's dedicated journal for members in their foundation years. This issue looks closely at the theme of children.

  • Ward Round Journal May 2011 - 1 May 2011

    Welcome to the sixth issue of Ward Round, the MDU's dedicated journal for members in their foundation years. This issue's main theme is emergencies and it also looks at points to consider when providing medical assistance at a sporting event.

  • Ward Round Journal November 2009 - 5 November 2009

    This issue of Ward Round discusses the role of chaperones in clinical practice and how to ace your CT/ST interview.

Media Releases

  • 12,000 GPs opt for guide to revalidation - 10 April 2002

    The MDU has been inundated with over 12,000 requests from its GP members for a new guide to help them meet the GMC's clinical governance and revalidation requirements next year.

  • 24-hour service legally safeguards Trusts - 31 October 2001

    Violent patients, consent and confidentiality and end of life issues are some of the common problems faced by NHS staff and for the first time trust managers will have access to round-the-clock telephone advice from medico-legal experts.

  • Advice for the newly initiated - 3 March 2003

    How do you tell a patient you have extracted the wrong tooth? What do you do when a patient has ingested an endodontic item? Today the DDU issues risk management strategies to help members reduce the risk of harm to patients through adverse incidents in their latest e-journal for members.

  • Advice to doctors on prescribing contraceptives to under–16s - 10 February 2012

    With the revelation earlier this week that 4,900 teenage girls under the age of 16 were fitted with contraceptive implants last year, The Medical Defence Union (MDU) is reminding GPs of their duties and key considerations when considering whether to prescribe contraception to a young person under-16.

  • Alder Hey inquiry triggers consent concerns - 27 November 2001

    Recent cases at Alder Hey have sparked concerns about the removal of tissue and organs for doctors and it is unlikely these issues will become simpler in the future, author of new MDU booklet titled Consent said today.

  • Ban on - 1 November 2002

    New government guidelines for dealing with violent patients are long overdue and will provide much needed safeguards for doctors and nurses in the UK, the nation's biggest medical defence union said today.

  • BDA/DENTSPLY Student Clinician Awards 2012 - 27 February 2012

    The winner of the 35th annual BDA/DENTSPLY Student Clinician Programme Award was announced on 3rd February 2012 at a glittering awards ceremony at the Royal Horseguards Hotel.

  • Be aware of research risks advises MDU - 12 May 2010

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) is reminding doctors involved in conducting clinical research to ensure patients fully understand the risks and benefits of taking part and to be aware of their legal and ethical responsibilities.

  • Be vigilant with patient records on home visits warns the DDU - 10 October 2011

    Dental professionals should be extra vigilant and take additional security measures to protect patient data when outside the standard practice setting, warns the Dental Defence Union (DDU), the specialist dental division of the MDU.

  • Beware of wrong tooth extraction warns DDU - 4 October 2004

    The DDU, the specialist dental division of the MDU, is warning dentists about the dangers of extracting the wrong tooth following new research which reveals that the error is more common than many dentists may realise.

  • Bruising results from MDU violence survey - 5 June 2001

    Security guards are needed to patrol A&E departments and GPs should carry personal attack alarms according to a nationwide survey of doctors out today.

  • Chance for dental students to win £1000 towards elective - 15 December 2004

    The Dental Defence Union, the specialist dental division of the MDU, has launched this year’s elective competition for dental student members with a first prize of £1000 and a second prize of £500 towards the cost of a dental elective.

  • Charges for access to health records - 4 October 2001

    The Lord Chancellor's Department has announced that the fees charged by the NHS for providing patients with copies of their medical and health records are to continue at the current levels for the time being.

  • Common complaints myths busted by DDU - 19 December 2007

    The Dental Defence Union (DDU) is helping to dispel some of the common myths surrounding patient complaints in its latest Journal for members which is published today.

  • Communication key to avoiding out-of-hours complaints - 11 June 2007

    An analysis of complaints and claims from out-of-hours care in general practice, published in the latest edition of the MDU Journal, reveals that communication difficulties are usually involved in cases notified by GPs.

  • Complaints about GP out of hours care increase - 15 September 2003

    Complaints about treatment provided by GPs outside normal working hours have risen significantly over the past seven years, according to new figures published by the MDU today.

  • Confidentiality concerns addressed by new MDU guide - 12 April 2006

    The MDU has advised doctors to inform patients that it may not be possible to transmit their data securely through electronic media, in its updated guide to confidentiality, available free to MDU members from today.

  • Coping with violence in the surgery - 31 January 2001

    The issue of violence against doctors was highlighted this week by a recent study (Health Service Report, issue 29, Industrial Relations Service) which drew attention to a disturbing rise in violent incidents against NHS staff.

  • Corporate manslaughter act - 26 July 2007

    As the Corporate Manslaughter Act obtains Royal Assent today, the Medical Defence Union (MDU), which advises members on criminal matters which might arise from their clinical duties, warned that hospital doctors may face more investigations into their conduct when the law comes into effect on 6 April 2008 (except deaths in custody).

  • DDU adds to team of dental claims experts - 4 June 2007

    The Dental Defence Union (DDU), the specialist dental division of the MDU, has further enhanced its team of highly experienced dento-legal advisers, claims handlers, and solicitors.

  • DDU advises dental practices to make data protection a priority in 2011 - 13 January 2011

    The Dental Defence Union (DDU) is reminding dental practices to regularly review and enforce their data protection policies after the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) issued the first fines to organisations breaching the Data Protection Act and warned that the loss of NHS data was the most commonly reported.

  • DDU advises dental professionals who act as expert witnesses - 16 September 2008

    The Dental Defence Union (DDU), the specialist dental division of the Medical Defence Union (MDU), today issued advice to dentists and DCPs who write expert reports or give evidence in court or at hearings to help them avoid some of the most common pitfalls.

  • DDU advises dentists and dental nurses on indemnity - 12 May 2008

    The Dental Defence Union (DDU) is offering professional indemnity advice to dentists and their dental nurses ahead of the start of compulsory General Dental Council (GDC) registration for dental care practitioners on 31 July 2008.

  • DDU advises dentists on the perils of pulling teeth - 22 April 2009

    The DDU, the specialist dental division of the MDU, says that removal of teeth in general dental practice is becoming an increasingly challenging area and has today issued advice to dentists to help them avoid the pitfalls.

  • DDU advises members about dental regulations - 14 March 2002

    The DDU is advising members on what events in their past they need to declare to their Health Authority. Dentists who fail to make a declaration by 31 March 2002, could risk being removed from the Health Authority dental list.

  • DDU advises members about risk management - 18 April 2002

    Dentists are being encouraged to focus on managing risk by the DDU. In a series of articles published in the Journal of the Dental Defence Union, dentists are getting advice on identifying and avoiding risks in areas such as restorative dentistry and in the day to day running of their dental practice.

  • DDU announces educational awards finalists for 2008 - 24 October 2008

    Some of the best practitioners in dental education will battle it out for the coveted title of teacher of the year in the 2008 DDU Educational awards in London on Wednesday 19 November.

  • DDU announces new dates for CPD courses - 1 December 2008

    The Dental Defence Union (DDU), the specialist dental division of the MDU, has again joined forces with experts from Kings College London to offer two further courses for all members of the dental team, which will be worth 12 hours of verifiable Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

  • DDU awards finalists in the spotlight - 4 October 2010

    The DDU today reveals the names of the six talented dental teachers who will vie for success at the 2010 DDU Educational Awards at the Royal Society, Central London on Wednesday 17 November.

  • DDU demonstrates GDC success for members in 2010 - 25 August 2011

    In 2010, more than 85% of DDU members, assisted by in-house lawyers, avoided referral to a fitness to practise hearing in relation to a GDC complaint. This may be one reason why membership of the MDU (the DDU’s parent organisation) rose to 202,000 in 2011, for the first time in the organisation’s history.

  • DDU Educational Awards - finalists revealed - 10 October 2007

    The Dental Defence Union (DDU) today announces the names of the outstanding teachers and trainers who have reached the final of the 2007 DDU Educational Awards.

  • DDU educational awards - winners announced - 14 November 2007

    Some of the UK's best dental teachers were in London to compete for the Dental Defence Union's (DDU) fifth annual Educational Awards. Two finalists in each category battled it out to demonstrate how they had made a positive educational impact on their students or Vocational Dental Practitioners (VDP).

  • DDU further expands its team of dento-legal advisers - 28 February 2008

    The DDU has appointed a new dento-legal adviser to further strengthen its expert team. Alison Large will help the DDU's existing team respond to the increasing number of calls and requests for assistance from DDU members.

  • DDU helps dental students face finals with confidence - 11 November 2009

    Final exams are usually the most stressful time at dental school but the DDU has teamed up with experts, FinalBDS, to help students maximise their performance with a weekend undergraduate dental revision course – the only one of its kind in the UK.

  • DDU helps members respond to more patient complaints - 9 September 2009

    The Dental Defence Union (DDU), the specialist dental division of the MDU, is helping dental professionals with an increasing number of patient complaints following changes to complaints procedures in both the NHS and independent sectors.

  • DDU introduces insurance for cosmetic procedures - 30 April 2008

    The DDU, is pleased to be able to introduce indemnity insurance for dentist members who want to administer botulinum toxin and non-permanent resorbable dermal fillers to patients' lips or face, but excluding the neck.

  • DDU issues advice for dentists in mouth cancer awareness week - 18 October 2005

    The Dental Dental Union (DDU), specialist dental division of the MDU, has issued advice for dentists to help them avoid delay in obtaining specialist treatment for patients who may show the early signs of mouth cancer. The advice is timed to coincide with this year's Mouth Cancer Awareness Week, which takes place 13-19 November 2005.

  • DDU launches interactive assessment - 27 April 2005

    The DDU has launched an online service for members to help them identify potential risks within their own practice. The interactive risk assessment is aimed at helping practices address risks, in order to improve patient care and satisfaction and thereby reduce the potential for complaints and claims.

  • DDU launches new series of advice booklets for dentists - 11 November 2004

    The Dental Defence Union, the specialist dental division of the MDU, has produced a series of nine dento-legal briefings to advise dentists about the areas which are a common cause of concern in dental practice, including confidentiality, consent, patient records, complaints and claims.

  • DDU plugs indemnity gap - 23 September 2009

    The DDU is advising the increasing number of dental professionals who are organising themselves into companies to bid for contracts from PCTs and other bodies, to ensure their company has adequate indemnity in place.

  • DDU provides vocational training ideas for students - 3 April 2003

    Vocational training is put under the microscope in the latest issue of the DDU student journal, emailed to students, with ideas on planning, applying, and preparing for vocational training.

  • DDU reassures Olympic volunteer dental professionals over indemnity - 3 April 2012

    With the London 2012 Olympic Games just a little over three months away, the Dental Defence Union is reassuring members who have been selected to volunteer as part of the medical team at the games that they are covered by their professional indemnity policy of insurance for the work they are doing.

  • DDU searches for inspiring dental teachers - 14 May 2009

    The Dental Defence Union (DDU), the specialist dental division of the MDU, has begun its annual search for dental educators with the talent to motivate and encourage tomorrow’s dental professionals.

  • DDU seeks nominations for 2008 educational awards - 7 April 2008

    The DDU, the specialist dental division of the MDU, has started its search for the most outstanding and inspirational dental teachers of 2008. Students and vocational dental practitioners (VDPs) have until 1 September to nominate the teachers or trainers they think deserve to win one of the DDU's prestigious Educational Awards.

  • DDU seeks outstanding dental teachers - 3 May 2007

    The Dental Defence Union (DDU), the specialist dental division of the MDU, has opened nominations for its annual Educational Awards, now in its fifth year. Students and vocational dental practitioners (VDPs) have until Tuesday 31 July to nominate the teachers whose approach most motivates and inspires them.

  • DDU sees rise in specialist dento-legal lawyers - 15 January 2001

    Along with the spiralling growth of compensation culture in the UK, the DDU is seeing a notable rise in the number of specialist clinical negligence law firms setting up departments solely to pursue dento-legal work on behalf of patients and their relatives.

  • DDU supports DTI action plan for private dentistry - 23 June 2003

    The DDU welcomed today’s commitment by the DTI to ensure patients treated privately by dentists have access to an independent complaints procedure - something which the DDU believes can help avoid unnecessary litigation.

  • DDU urges dentists to review fee protocols - 2 November 2001

    The DDU is urging members to review their fee procedures following this week's announcement by the Office of Fair Trading it may launch an official investigation into private dentistry in the UK.

  • Dealing with amorous patients - 9 February 2006

    Most patients appreciate the parameters of the professional relationship that exists with their dental practitioner. However, on rare occasions a patient can misinterpret this as something more and this can lead to problems.

  • Dental professionals should give patients a 'cooling off period' - 27 April 2012

    A common allegation in complaints and claims is that the patient was not fully informed of the risks of treatment beforehand or given enough time to discuss their concerns. In the latest edition of the DDU Journal, dento-legal adviser Susan N’Jie discusses the importance of giving patients a 'cooling off period before proceeding with treatment.

  • Dental team members vulnerable without their own defence - 30 August 2006

    The Dental Defence Union (DDU) is reminding dental nurses and dental technicians that they could register with the General Dental Council (GDC) from 31 July 2006 and that they must be registered by 31 July 2008 in order to work legally.

  • Difficulties of treating alcoholic and drunken patients in Scotland - 22 November 2011

    As the Scottish Government reintroduces plans for minimum alcohol pricing to reduce problem drinking, the Medical Defence Union (MDU) today reveals the range of challenges faced by doctors across the UK when treating patients who are alcoholic or under the influence of alcohol.

  • Doctors advised by MDU on reporting suspected rioters - 19 August 2011

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) has advised its members, over half of UK doctors, about when they can report a patient to the authorities in the wake of the riots and looting in English cities this month.

  • Doctors advised to avoid acronyms - 20 August 2003

    The MDU, which provides over half of UK doctors with ethical and legal advice, has welcomed recent research reported as showing that the historical practice of some doctors annotating patient notes with insulting or demeaning acronyms is dying out.

  • Doctors advised to review safety procedures - 19 November 2001

    The nation's largest medical defence body is today advising doctors to review their safety procedures in the wake of increasing notifications of assaults on its members.

  • Doctors and dentists without insurance at risk - 10 July 2003

    The MDU is calling for regulation of the medical and dental indemnity market to prevent doctors and dentists risking their finances and patients going uncompensated in the event of an indemnity provider using its discretion not to assist with a negligence claim.

  • Doctors ask for clarification over confidentiality regulations - 10 July 2002

    The UK's largest medical defence body is reassuring its members that it is business as usual with regard to handling confidential patient information following a number of enquiries from doctors about the impact of new government regulations.

  • Doctors face increasing media scrutiny - 12 January 2004

    Doctors are increasingly being approached by journalists for their reaction to patients' allegations about treatment, or for further information about patients' care, the Medical Defence Union revealed today.

  • Doctors fear trial by media - 2 March 2011

    Doctors feel that patients are more likely to say they are going to the media with a complaint about their treatment now, compared to five years ago, according to a new survey published by the Medical Defence Union (MDU) today.

  • Doctors flock to take up indemnity insurance - 23 August 2004

    Figures released by the Medical Defence Union today reveal that since the launch of its insurance policy for clinical negligence claims in 2000, UK medical membership has increased by over 20 per cent.

  • Doctors must not be deterred from reporting child abuse - 31 July 2003

    Today's Court of Appeal judgment, which is reported as finding that children who are wrongly diagnosed as suffering from child abuse can sue doctors, although their parents cannot, must not deter doctors from reporting suspected child abuse, said the MDU.

  • Doctors need insurance for new mental capacity assesments warn MDU - 11 November 2008

    Doctors who assess the mental capacity of mental health patients must have insurance against any liabilities that may arise, under new legislation which has just come into force. The MDU, says the regulations mean that doctors who are reliant on discretionary indemnity will not be eligible to carry out these assessments.

  • Doctors propositioned by Facebook flirts - 1 December 2009

    Doctors are being warned not to respond to amorous approaches from patients on social networking sites like Facebook, by the Medical Defence Union (MDU) today.

  • Doctors reminded of social media pitfalls - 24 April 2012

    Following the launch of new draft ethical guidance for doctors on their use of social media by the GMC, the Medical Defence Union is reminding doctors of some of the pitfalls of using sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

  • Doctors reminded to apologise for mistakes - 8 June 2005

    The Medical Defence Union, the UK's largest provider of indemnity and medico-legal advice to doctors, today reminded them of the importance of apologising to patients and providing a full explanation of the facts when a mistake has been made.

  • Doctors to the rescue ... again and again - 2 July 2008

    Asthma attacks, heart attacks, fainting, broken bones and car accident injuries are just some of the problems which have confronted doctors who have stepped in to help a member of the public outside while off-duty according to a survey of Medical Defence Union (MDU) members.

  • Doctors warned: Clean up your confidentiality clauses - 10 April 2001

    All practice staff including the cleaner should have a confidentiality clause written into their workplace agreement, medico-legal expert and author of a new booklet entitled "Confidentiality" warned today.

  • Doctors with drug and alcohol problems encouraged to seek help early - 13 June 2005

    The MDU, which provides medico-legal support and advice to over half of UK doctors, called today for doctors with drug and alcohol problems to seek help early, as a BBC study revealed that a number of doctors had been disciplined for alcohol and drug related incidents.

  • Doctors' 'end of life' concerns revealed by MDU - 20 May 2010

    Queries relating to advance decisions, ‘do not resuscitate’ decisions and Lasting Powers of Attorney are the most common reasons for doctors to seek advice from the Medical Defence Union (MDU) when providing care and treatment for patients at the end of their life.

  • Doctors' gifts unwrapped by MDU - 4 February 2008

    Legacies, artworks, vintage champagne, handmade embroidery and poems of thanks are just some of the ways that patients have shown their appreciation to their doctors over the last year, according to a new Medical Defence Union (MDU) survey of 511 doctors.

  • Doctors' increasing medico-legal needs met by MDU - 22 August 2006

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) said today that doctors are facing increasing numbers of medico-legal challenges and it has seen a doubling in requests for assistance with General Medical Council (GMC) cases over the last few years.

  • Don't sell yourself short with discount deals warns DDU - 31 October 2011

    The Dental Defence Union (DDU) is warning dental professionals to be wary of promoting their practice by offering discount vouchers on particular treatments as they may be inadvertently making themselves vulnerable to a complaint or even a GDC investigation.

  • Drug errors cost MDU £10.6milion - 19 December 2001

    Medication errors have cost the Medical Defence Union £10.6million over an eleven year period, it was announced today.

  • End to excessive claimaints' legal costs in sight says MDU - 18 November 2010

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK’s leading medical defence organisation today said it was hopeful government proposals to control civil litigation costs would spell an end to the inflation-busting legal costs it sees in medical negligence cases.

  • examdoctor has all the questions for MDU members - 1 July 2009

    Doctors and medical students who are facing examinations in the next few months can get extra help with their revision thanks to an online resource called examdoctor which is now available to MDU members with an exclusive discount of 33 per cent.

  • Experience counts at DDU Awards - 24 November 2008

    Six dental educators with over 150 years’ combined clinical experience left judges with a difficult decision at the sixth annual DDU Educational Awards.

  • Expert witness vital to civil justice says MDU - 5 April 2006

    Doctors should be encouraged to act as impartial expert witnesses in order to achieve a fair outcome for doctors and their patients in clinical negligence cases says the Medical Defence Union (MDU).

  • Failure to visit – a common cause for complaint - 15 October 2009

    GPs are being provided with advice on avoiding complaints about home visits, which are a frequent cause of complaints notified to the Medical Defence Union (MDU) by members. By far the commonest reason for such complaints is the GP’s alleged refusal to visit.

  • Finalists compete for 2009 DDU Educational Awards crown - 22 October 2009

    Some of the most talented and motivational educators in dentistry will battle it out for the titles of dentist, dental care professional (DCP) and vocational teacher of the year at the seventh annual DDU Educational Awards in London on Wednesday 18 November.

  • Fitness to practise concerns at medical school - 11 September 2007

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) today warned medical students that adverse findings about their behaviour at medical school might prevent them from registering as a doctor with the GMC. The MDU reminded student members to contact its advisory helpline as soon as they become aware of an investigation into their fitness to practise.

  • Flu vaccinations for the worried well - 22 November 2005

    Following today's letter to GPs from the Department of Health about flu vaccination supplies, the Medical Defence Union (MDU), advised doctors to bear in mind authoritative guidance on the issue and to use their clinical judgement, when deciding whether to offer the flu vaccination to a patient not in an at risk group.

  • From Cambridge to Kangaroos - 20 June 2001

    The Medical Defence Union expanded today with the appointment of four new doctors from Cambridge, London, Scotland and Sydney to cope with the increasing demand for its services.

  • Further advice from DDU on tooth bleaching - 12 February 2007

    As uncertainty continues to surround the legal status of tooth bleaching, the Dental Defence Union today reiterated its commitment to members carrying out the procedure. In an article in the latest issue of the DDU Journal, the DDU updates members on the current position and responds to frequently asked questions about bleaching procedures.

  • GDC decisions will be re-examined, warns DDU - 26 August 2003

    The DDU, the specialist dental division of the MDU, is warning its members that some GDC fitness to practise decisions will be reviewed by a recently formed "super regulator" to determine if they are too lenient or shouldn’t have been made.

  • Get patients' consent to text, advises MDU - 12 March 2010

    GP practices that communicate with patients via text message are being advised, by the Medical Defence Union (MDU), to ensure patients have ‘opted in’ to the service.

  • GMC change to standard of proof almost Alice in Wonderland - 21 August 2007

    The Medical Defence Union, which indemnifies over half of UK doctors and assists hundreds each year with GMC fitness to practise investigations, says the GMC's proposed guidance on the use of the civil standard of proof would turn part of the decision-making process on its head.

  • GMC decisions will be re-examined, warns MDU - 18 August 2003

    The MDU is warning its members that some GMC fitness to practise decisions will be reviewed by a recently formed "super regulator" to determine if they are too lenient or shouldn’t have been made.

  • GMC proposals on hospital suspension not practical - 2 March 2001

    Doctors should not be obliged to inform patients or other organisations they work with if they are suspended by their employer, says the MDU today responding to a proposal in the GMC's draft revision of Good Medical Practice.

  • Good news on MDU Irish subs - 15 June 2001

    Many hospital doctors in Ireland will see no increase in their MDU subscriptions for the coming year and in some cases rates will go down by 30 per cent, it was announced today.

  • Good Samaritan acts under the spotlight - 7 November 2011

    As a retired heart surgeon was hailed as a hero for saving the life of a policeman whose throat was slashed by a knifeman while attempting an arrest, the MDU reassured retired members that they are able to request assistance with a claim or complaint arising from a Good Samaritan act.

  • Government must address spiralling compensation says MDU - 21 March 2003

    Today's National Audit Office report, which showed the NHS's long term liability for settling clinical negligence claims has risen to £5.25 billion, is an indication that urgent action is needed to stem the rising tide of litigation, says the MDU.

  • GP claims increase by 20 per cent, reports MDU - 18 May 2011

    GP medical negligence claims files opened by the Medical Defence Union (MDU) increased by almost 20 per cent during 2010, compared to the previous year*. While claims notified to the MDU, which indemnifies over half of UK GPs, have increased across the board, the most marked rise was in the area of general practice.

  • GP paediatric claims cost £12.5 million - 20 May 2002

    The UK's largest medical defence organisation, paid out £12.5 million over ten years to compensate children negligently treated by GPs it was revealed today.

  • GPs advised to inform patients about use of automated appointments - 2 May 2006

    The Medical Defence Union is advising GPs who use automated appointment systems, which allow patients to log their arrival or be directed to a GP without seeing a receptionist, to inform patients of their use and offer alternatives to any patients who object or might have difficulty using them.

  • GPs face diagnostic difficulties over meningitis - 2 August 2010

    The Medical Defence Union is suggesting GPs review their procedures for managing patients with suspected meningitis as it revealed today it has paid out £22million to settle claims for delay in diagnosing the infection since 1998.

  • GPs free from passport paperwork - 16 October 2001

    As part of a series of moves to cut paperwork GPs will not be expected to sign passport or driving license applications civil servants have told the MDU.

  • GPs get - 24 April 2002

    The UK's largest medical defence organisation and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) today launched a comprehensive programme to help GPs demonstrate their continued fitness to practise.

  • GPs get free self-assessment guide - 13 August 2002

    GPs are being offered a free MDU guide to help them prepare for revalidation and appraisal. The MDU’s risk management self assessment pack "Risk Assessment for Revalidation: Module 1" will help MDU members chart a course through the jungle of information available on documenting fitness to practise.

  • GPs more flexibility in exercise referrals - 18 April 2001

    GPs now have greater flexibility in exercise referrals, with the GMC indicating to the MDU they would have no concerns if GPs refer patients to members of the Professional Register of Exercise and Fitness (PREF), leading medico-legal expert from the MDU said today.

  • GPs must be vigilant for bowel cancer - 2 May 2012

    The MDU is reminding GPs to be alert to signs and symptoms which could indicate bowel cancer when assessing patients, to ensure that the disease is not missed.

  • GPs need suitable training to fit contraceptive implants says MDU - 21 March 2011

    The MDU is asking its GP members fitting women with contraceptive implant devices to ensure they are properly trained to carry out the procedure and hold a letter of competence from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, or equivalent proof of suitable training.

  • GPs need to check references - 10 January 2002

    Changes to Terms of Services regulations means GPs will have to vet the references of locums or assistants.

  • GPs reminded to regularly assess depressed patients for risk of suicide - 4 May 2012

    GPs are being advised to ensure patients with depression are regularly assessed for a risk of suicide. The Medical Defence Union (MDU) issued the advice after being notified of a small number of complaints in which GPs were criticised for failing to appreciate that the patient was a suicide risk.

  • GPs seek heatwave advice from MDU - 28 July 2006

    GPs have been asking the MDU for advice on to what extent they have to monitor vulnerable patients during the current heatwave.

  • GPs tackling risks get chance to win £3,000 - 2 September 2002

    How foolproof are your follow-up procedures? Does your practice have a new system for tracking referral letters and test results? Do you make sure you learn lessons from near misses? Do you have an up-to-date protocol for last-minute repeat prescription requests?

  • GPs urged to be cautious with child flu vaccines - 21 February 2011

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) is advising GPs and practice nurses to take extra care when immunising children with seasonal flu vaccines after becoming aware of a handful of cases where the incorrect vaccine has been given.

  • Health bill must guarantee patients' access to compensation - 1 February 2011

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) is calling on the government to specify in the Health & Social Care Bill how services commissioned by GPs should be indemnified so that patients negligently harmed will be properly compensated.

  • Health committee reflects MDU concerns on revalidation - 8 February 2011

    As the Health Select Committee publishes the conclusions of an inquiry into the GMC's Revalidation proposals, MDU head of advisory services, Dr Michael Devlin, welcomes the fact that it highlighted concerns raised by the MDU on behalf of its members about and the potential for conflicts of interest with Responsible Officers.

  • Health reforms must not leave indemnity gap says MDU - 6 October 2010

    GPs will need to ensure they are adequately and appropriately indemnified for the changes that the extension of commissioning proposed by the health white paper will bring about, according to the Medical Defence Union.

  • Healthcare commission complaints report - 1 February 2007

    Today’s Healthcare Commission report into NHS complaints echoes the Medical Defence Union’s (MDU’s) own research into complaints notified by its members.

  • Heightened risk of terrorism: MDU advises on doctors' role - 22 November 2002

    At a time of raised public concern about the potential threat of a terrorist attack, doctors should be aware of their obligations under new anti-terrorist legislation, advises Dr Matt Lee, a medico-legal adviser at the MDU.

  • HIV case raises confidentiality issue - 14 May 2003

    An Australian Supreme Court case, in which a woman whose husband infected her with HIV and hepatitis B is challenging GPs' right to maintain patient confidentiality, raises medico-legal issues for UK GPs, according to the MDU.

  • Hospital doctors embracing modern communications technology - 31 January 2012

    Hospital doctors are embracing modern technology according to a survey published today by the Medical Defence Union (MDU), with the majority now using some form of modern technology to communicate with colleagues or patients. However, many are still concerned about the impact it can have on confidentiality.

  • Identify patients who fear a trip to the dentist - 17 September 2003

    Dentists who identify patients who fear a "trip to the dentist" and respond to their special needs may also help to reduce complaints arising from their care, the DDU advises dentists this week in the latest e-journal.

  • Increase in DDU members seeking ethical and legal advice - 1 September 2005

    The DDU, the specialist dental division of the MDU, has appointed another dento-legal adviser to further enhance its team of highly experienced dentists, claims handlers and solicitors. Periodontal specialist, Leo Briggs, will enable the seven-strong DDU advisory team to meet increasing demands from members for its services.

  • Indemnity proposals unworkable says DDU - 20 January 2009

    Patients may still be exposed to a risk they will not be compensated under proposals published for consultation by the GDC. The DDU , the specialist dental division of the Medical Defence Union today described the proposals as unworkable, illogical and with the potential to leave some dental professionals and patients in the lurch.

  • Inflation–busting legal costs rise by 3,400 percent in 30 years says MDU - 22 October 2010

    The costs of settling clinical negligence claims have spiralled in the last 30 years says the Medical Defence Union (MDU). The UK’s leading medical defence organisation, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this week, revealed average claimants’ legal costs had increased by three times the rate of inflation since 1981.

  • In-flight emergency doctors reassured by MDU - 19 February 2009

    Doctors called upon to assist with the increasing number of in-flight medical emergencies are being reassured that they can step forward with confidence by the Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK’s leading medical defence organisation.

  • Insurance still available for non-surgical cosmetic procedures - 24 July 2008

    Following the GDC’s position statement, issued on 10 July 2008, that non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as botulinum toxin and dermal fillers are not the practice of dentistry, the DDU, the specialist dental division of the Medical Defence Union, has today reassured members that they can still obtain insured indemnity for these procedures.

  • Is there a dentist on the plane? - 30 September 2002

    The DDU, the specialist dental division of the MDU, is today warning dentists that if they fail to offer assistance when faced with a critically ill patient then they may have to justify their actions to the GDC.

  • It shouldn't happen to a doctor - 1 April 2002

    Doctors are ringing the UK's largest medical defence organisation in increasing numbers to ask whether they can lawfully treat pets and other animals

  • Laser eye surgery claims more than double - 26 May 2003

    The number of laser eye surgery negligence claims reported by members of the MDU, the largest indemnifier of UK doctors, have increased by 166 per cent over the last six years, it was announced today. These claims now account for a third of all ophthalmology claims on the MDU’s books.

  • Learn and share lessons from complaints says DDU - 20 October 2008

    Following the National Audit Office report on complaints handling, which highlighted a lack of learning from complaints, the Dental Defence Union, the specialist dental division of the MDU, has stressed the importance of setting up a system to learn from significant events, including complaints, and sharing this knowledge with others.

  • Learn and share lessons from complaints says MDU - 10 October 2008

    As the National Audit Office publishes its report on complaints handling today, highlighting a lack of learning from complaints, the MDU, the UK’s largest provider of insurance indemnity to doctors, stresses the importance of setting up a system to learn from significant events, including complaints, and sharing this knowledge with others.

  • Legal cost regularly outstrip patients' compensation payment say DDU - 19 August 2008

    Legal costs paid by the DDU on behalf of its members frequently outstrip compensation payments made to negligently injured patients says the DDU, the specialist dental division of the Medical Defence Union (MDU), which provides insured indemnity to 30 percent of UK dental professionals.

  • Litigation crisis set to continue - 18 February 2002

    As the MDU settles part of a €4.8 million compensation claim, the crisis in litigation looks set to continue unless Enterprise Liability is introduced.

  • Long–term prescribing tops list of medication error claims reveals MDU - 8 May 2009

    The MDU, the UK’s leading medical defence organisation has warned its GP members of the risks when treating patients requiring long-term medication. The MDU, which represents over half of UK GPs, revealed that this type of prescription featured most commonly in a review of settled medication error claims against GP members.

  • Look out for early cancer signs, MDU advises GPs - 27 September 2010

    GPs are being advised to be alert to early symptoms and signs of malignancy, which according to a Medical Defence Union claims analysis, is the most frequent diagnosis to be missed or delayed in primary care.

  • Managing risk in oral cancer screening - 24 July 2003

    The DDU advised dentists today in their latest e-journal, of the dento-legal implications of screening for oral cancer and the risk management strategies they may consider using in their daily screening procedures.

  • Mandatory indemnity offers no guarantees for patients warns MDU - 15 December 2010

    Today’s government announcement that it accepts the recommendation that healthcare professionals should by law be required to have indemnity is welcome and timely, according to the MDU, the UK’s leading provider of medical indemnity, but it says it is disappointed that this alone will not give the guarantee that doctors and patients need.

  • Massive rise in GMC complaints against doctors - 9 January 2003

    Complaints about MDU members to the General Medical Council, the body that regulates doctors’ conduct and performance, have risen by 1450 per cent over the last 11 years, according to a report published today.

  • MDU advice line the first call for members - 14 August 2008

    Disclosing information about a child to an estranged parent and a patient refusing treatment following a paracetamol overdose were among the 25,000 calls to the MDU 24-hour advice line last year, revealed in the MDU’s Annual Report and Accounts 2007* published today.

  • MDU advice on healthcare assistants giving flu vaccinations - 10 November 2006

    The MDU is advising GPs that healthcare assistants (HCAs) can administer flu vaccinations, provided they have been assessed as competent to carry out the task, their training is recorded and kept up to date and a practice protocol is in place.

  • MDU advice on single dose MMR - 15 January 2001

    Following recent controversy surrounding the MMR vaccine, the MDU, which indemnifies over 50% of UK GPs, today advises its members that if they don't know the origins of a single dose vaccine they should not administer it.

  • MDU advises Coventry doctors on patient complaints - 16 September 2009

    Doctors are increasingly seeking advice on the complex ethical and legal issues they face to keep informed and improve their everyday practice according to the Medical Defence Union (MDU), which advises over half of UK doctors on the law and professional obligations.

  • MDU advises GPs against striking off patients for missing appointments - 24 August 2005

    Following today's survey by Developing Patient Partnerships, which shows that patients miss around 10 million GP and 5 million practice nurse appointments each year, the MDU has advised doctors to think carefully before removing a patient from the practice list due to missed appointments.

  • MDU advises GPs on pitfalls of treating depression - 11 June 2008

    The Medical Defence Union, the UK’s largest medical defence organisation, has revealed it paid out nearly £3m in compensation on behalf of GP members to settle 30 claims arising from the treatment of patients with depression during a recent ten-year-period.

  • MDU advises GPs to be on alert for holiday health problems - 27 June 2011

    As the summer holidays get underway, the Medical Defence Union (MDU) today reminds GPs to be on the alert in case their patients return home with an unwanted – and undiagnosed – souvenir. The UK’s leading medical defence organisation suggested patients could also help their doctor by telling them if they had recently returned from their holidays.

  • MDU advises members on new GMC guidance - 23 October 2006

    The MDU today commented on the revised and expanded General Medical Council (GMC) guidance on Good Medical Practice, the main ethical guidance for all doctors, which comes into effect on 13 November.

  • MDU advises on good record keeping - 13 February 2001

    The MDU is encouraging GPs to reassess their standard of record keeping in the wake of the NHS Plan and of GMC proposals to make legible records a requirement, and has launched a revised version of its popular booklet Can I see the records? to help them.

  • MDU advises students on raising concerns - 14 March 2003

    Today the MDU emailed student members with a new edition of the MDU student e-journal to help them deal with ethical dilemmas, plan for electives and manage their money.

  • MDU announces dates for 2008 Ethics and Law Workshops - 14 January 2008

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) has announced new dates for its popular Ethics and Law Workshops which are designed to help doctors navigate their way past tricky ethical dilemmas they face in everyday practice and earn continuing professional development (CPD) points in the process.

  • MDU announces winner of electives competition - 10 November 2006

    A Graduate Entry medical student at St George's Medical School has won £1,500 towards the cost of her elective after coming first in the Medical Defence Union's (MDU) Electives Competition 2006/7.

  • MDU appoints head of Scottish affairs - 13 November 2009

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) has appointed Dr Hugh Stewart as Head of Scottish Affairs, in recognition of the increasing need for doctors in Scotland to be able to access medico-legal advice tailored to Scots law and guidance.

  • MDU appoints new advisory head - 15 December 2003

    The MDU has appointed Dr Peter Schutte to head up its medical advisory team of 23 doctors and 2 nurses. Dr Schutte, who has more than 18 years medico-legal experience at the MDU, the last nine of which he’s been deputy head of advisory, takes up the post of head of Advisory Services immediately.

  • MDU appoints new Head of Underwriting - 17 May 2010

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU), has appointed Dr James Armstrong as its new Head of Underwriting, responsible for monitoring the pattern of costs associated with medical indemnity and identifying risks in clinical practice that lead to complaints and claims.

  • MDU backs patient privacy concerns - 8 September 2003

    The MDU, which provides legal and ethical advice to over half of UK doctors, has expressed its concern about proposed new legislation which does not appear to respect the confidentiality of patient records, which it says can only normally be disclosed with the patient’s consent or in the public interest.

  • MDU backs Professor Woods's report - 19 April 2001

    The MDU said the implementation of the recommendations in today's report, The Prevention of Intrathecal Medication Errors, by Professor Kent Woods, will provide much needed safeguards for MDU members.

  • MDU begins Chief Executive recruitment process - 8 May 2008

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK's first and largest defence organisation for doctors, has begun the recruitment process for a new Chief Executive ahead of Dr Michael Saunders' planned retirement from the MDU Board at the end of April 2009.

  • MDU booklet guides GPs through legal maze - 14 May 2001

    The recent NAO report on clinical negligence claims in the NHS illustrates why the legal world is fast becoming an area of interest for doctors and a booklet by the Medical Defence Union aims to give members insight into what happens when they become involved in the legal process.

  • MDU calls for compulsory clinical negligence insurance - 8 November 2004

    The Dental Defence Union, dental division of the MDU which indemnifies 30% of UK dentists, has declared its strong support for the proposal to make clinical negligence insurance a condition of registration for dentists and has suggested a system to protect the patients of dentists who slip through the net.

  • MDU calls for compulsory clinical negligence insurance - 8 November 2004

    The Medical Defence Union, the largest indemnifier of UK doctors, has declared its strong support for the proposal to make clinical negligence insurance a condition of registration for dentists and called for this to be extended to all healthcare professionals in order to protect patients.

  • MDU calls for end to doctors' gardening leave - 3 July 2003

    The MDU is today calling for a complete end to so-called "gardening leave", when doctors are informally suspended from work, as the Chief Medical Officer sets out recommendations for poorly performing doctors in his annual report.

  • MDU cases highlight challenge of diagnosing chameleon disease - 3 April 2012

    Ovarian cancer can pose a significant diagnostic challenge. Patients with ovarian cancer have been mistakenly thought to have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis and anaemia, before their condition was diagnosed says the Medical Defence Union (MDU).

  • MDU cautions against diluting deprivation of liberty safeguards - 12 February 2009

    Assessments carried out to determine whether it is appropriate for a patient with a mental disorder to be detained for care or treatment by a care home or hospital should only be done by a healthcare professional with insurance in order to help safeguard the rights of vulnerable patients says the MDU, the UK’s leading medical defence organisation.

  • MDU challenges doctors to rate their communication skills - 16 June 2011

    The MDU is challenging doctors to take a fresh look at the way they communicate. In the latest issue of the MDU Journal*, the MDU argues that communication skills are not just 'nice to have'; they are at the heart of good medical practice and can help to avoid the kinds of incidents that result in complaints or claims.

  • MDU clarifies position for Good Samaritan doctors - 20 October 2010

    Doctors are being reassured that they can fulfil their ethical duty to help out in an emergency as a good Samaritan, safe in the knowledge that they are covered should the accident victim later sue.

  • MDU communications skills workshops for doctors - 26 June 2008

    The Medical Defence Union has announced that a limited number of places are remaining for its upcoming communications skills workshops for doctors taking place at its head office in London.

  • MDU condemns DoH proposals as "gossips' charter" - 6 July 2010

    The MDU, the UK’s leading medical defence organisation, today highlighted grave concerns about Department of Health (DoH) proposals which could see unsubstantiated conduct or performance allegations about doctors shared with other organisations without the doctor concerned being made aware of them or having the opportunity to challenge them.

  • MDU continues "doctors for doctors" tradition with new Chief Executive - 16 September 2008

    The MDU, the UK's first and largest medical defence organisation for doctors, today announced that it has appointed Dr Christine Tomkins as its new Chief Executive. She will take over from present Chief Executive Dr Michael Saunders after his planned retirement from the MDU Board at the end of April 2009.

  • MDU corporate members get free employment advice - 4 January 2011

    The Medical Defence Union, the UK’s largest medical defence organisation, is extending its free employment advice helpline to its medical and dental corporate members, providing immediate guidance on all aspects of employment law.

  • MDU doctors embrace homeworking - 4 January 2007

    As a BBC Radio 4 programme goes behind the net curtains next week to access the secret world of the homeworker, the Medical Defence Union (MDU), says that even doctors can work from home.

  • MDU dominating indemnity market for 120 years - 16 August 2005

    The Medical Defence Union today said that it continues to grow and is in good financial shape to meet the challenges raised by the increasing demands that its doctor, dentist and nurse members make on its services.

  • MDU encourages doctors to say sorry if things go wrong - 14 May 2009

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) the UK’s largest medical defence organisation has reassured doctors that they are not admitting liability if they apologise when something has gone wrong with their treatment of a patient.

  • MDU endorses calls for fairer treatment of suspended doctors - 18 November 2004

    The MDU, the UK's largest indemnifier of doctors, has welcomed the recent report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on NHS suspensions which looked at suspensions under the old disciplinary procedure and suggested changes to legacy suspensions and to the current procedure that should improve the fairness of the system.

  • MDU examines post-Shipman reforms - 18 May 2007

    The Medical Defence Union will today highlight the profound effects on the attitudes within the medical profession and the wide-ranging reforms in the monitoring and regulation of doctors that have occurred post-Shipman.

  • MDU fills finals gaps for medics - 26 November 2001

    "Examine the groin" and "Tell me the anatomy of the inguinal region" are classic exam questions still sending shivers down the spines of final year students and a new course being offered by the MDU will help steer medics through their surgicals.

  • MDU flexes financial muscle in UK and Ireland - 1 August 2001

    The Medical Defence Union's Annual Report, out today, revealed it paid out £78 million in compensation costs last year and is in its strongest financial state for the last 50 years.

  • MDU goes on the record for new podcast - 31 January 2011

    The rights and wrongs of record keeping are the focus of the latest podcast from the MDU, the UK’s leading medical defence organisation. The podcast, which is available to members on the MDU website, explains doctors’ legal and ethical responsibilities and advises them how to avoid the most common pitfalls.

  • MDU helps doctors meet professional expectations - 26 August 2008

    The Medical Defence Union has announced a new addition to its educational programme, the MDU Professionalism in Medicine & Healthcare Workshop. Targeting hospital doctors and those in general practice, the workshop focuses on the nature of professionalism and how it applies to daily clinical practice.

  • MDU helps doctors navigate ethical minefield - 16 March 2006

    The MDU has announced the dates of its 2006 Medical Ethics and Law Workshops, designed to help doctors to apply ethical principles during their daily practice.

  • MDU helps GPs meet patient opinion survey deadline - 20 January 2006

    The MDU is offering a large discount on an online questionnaire service to help GPs conduct a survey of their patients. Listening to patient opinion is a requirement under the Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF) of the GP contract and the deadline for surveys to be completed is 31 March 2006.

  • MDU helps medical students face finals with confidence - 11 February 2011

    Medical students who are suffering from final year exam nerves still have time to apply for the MDU's revision courses to discover from recognised specialists what they need to revise and how to perfect their exam technique. For the first time, students can also sign-up for the MDU's student Facebook page for help with electives.

  • MDU highlights attacks on doctors - 4 March 2002

    Doctors are increasingly worried about being the victim of a violent or abusive attack inspite of the government's assurances about zero tolerance, according to the UK's leading medical defence organisation

  • MDU highlights ethical dilemmas involving personal beliefs - 17 March 2008

    The GMC has today launched its latest ethical guidance on Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice, advising doctors how they can ensure their personal beliefs do not adversely affect their relationships with or treatment of patients.

  • MDU highlights medico-legal risks of expert witness work - 25 July 2008

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK’s leading medical defence organisation, has welcomed newly-published guidance from the GMC, Acting as an Expert Witness, which sets out the role and duties of doctors who act as expert witnesses.

  • MDU hits the road as demand increases for legal and ethical talks - 5 September 2011

    Expertise in medical law and ethics was more in demand than ever in 2010 as the Medical Defence Union (MDU) spoke to doctors at 2066 events and GP practice seminars during the year, an increase of nearly four per cent on 2009. 2011 looks to be even busier with 1402 talks and seminars already given or requested to date.

  • MDU increases policy limit for negligence claims - 1 February 2001

    The MDU announced today that, from mid-2001, the insurance policy offered to MDU members will have an increased upper limit of £10m. The policy, first offered to members last year, is underwritten by Zurich Financial Services Group.

  • MDU issues GPs advice on referral management centres - 13 March 2006

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) has advised its GP members that they must seek express consent from patients for their referral to be made via a referral management centre (RMC) and should consider tracking the referral in the practice.

  • MDU issues top tips for responding to complaints - 25 August 2010

    As figures released today show the number of written complaints about general practice in the last year increased by 4.4 per cent*, the MDU issued advice for GP members to help them respond to dissatisfied patients.

  • MDU launches free employment advice helpline - 8 August 2008

    The Medical Defence Union, the UK’s largest medical defence organisation, in collaboration with Peninsula Business Services Ltd., is now offering a free employment advice helpline to its GP Group Scheme members, providing immediate guidance on all aspects of employment law.

  • MDU launches interactive revalidation guide - 24 April 2003

    To coincide with the recent publication of the Guide to Appraisal and Revalidation by the General Medical Council, the MDU today launches an online service to help GPs assess practice risks.

  • MDU launches new membership scheme for GP practices - 24 March 2011

    The MDU, the UK’s leading medical defence organisation, has unveiled a new group scheme for GP practices which aims to support members with the business side of running a GP practice so they can focus on clinical care.

  • MDU measures difficulties of treating alcoholic and drunken patients - 22 November 2011

    As debate rages over the merits of minimum alcohol pricing to reduce problem drinking, the Medical Defence Union (MDU) today reveals the range of challenges faced by the UK’s doctors when treating patients who are alcoholic or under the influence of alcohol.

  • MDU members seek advice with rights and wrongs of recording patients - 18 April 2011

    As the GMC launched its new guidance* on making audio and visual recordings of patients, the MDU, the UK’s leading medical defence organisation, revealed it opened nearly 60 files in the last two years after doctors sought advice about the ethics of recording patients.

  • MDU membership proves a benefit to foundation year doctors - 15 November 2011

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) received more than 3,500 phone calls from junior doctors to its advisory helpline in 2010. We reveal the figures in the latest issue of Ward Round, the journal for our foundation year members, published this week.

  • MDU objects to GMC disclosure plan - 11 May 2004

    The MDU is concerned about the GMC's decision to refer complaints to doctors' employers and other organisations which it will not investigate further itself. The MDU raised it's objections in response to a consultation on the GMC's diclosure policy.

  • MDU on–call for consultant members - 25 August 2010

    The MDU today launches an information pack for consultants addressing many of the concerns raised by consultant members in over 4,000 calls made to its advice line in the year to August 2010.

  • MDU opens doors to registered paramedics - 28 March 2007

    Paramedics who are registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) can now join the Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK's largest medical defence organisation and benefit from professional indemnity and expert medico legal and ethical advice.

  • MDU paid £78million in compensation in 2000 - 5 August 2001

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU), the largest indemnifier of UK doctors, paid out £78 million in compensation last year, with over 80% going directly to patients.

  • MDU pays £8.5 million to compensate cosmetic surgery patients - 1 June 2006

    The Medical Defence Union, the UK's biggest provider of medical indemnity and insurance to doctors, paid out just under £8.5 million in compensation and legal costs over the last ten years to patients harmed by cosmetic surgery procedures.

  • MDU plugs indemnity gap - 24 August 2009

    The MDU is advising the increasing number of doctors who are organising themselves into companies to bid for contracts from PCTs and other bodies, to ensure their company has adequate indemnity in place.

  • MDU publishes 10 tips on prescribing for children - 16 December 2010

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) today issued advice to foundation year doctors on the pitfalls of prescribing for children. The MDU’s ten tips, included in the latest edition of Ward Round, are intended to help doctors avoid the most common mistakes in this area.

  • MDU publishes guide to coroners' inquiries - 6 February 2006

    The MDU has produced a step-by-step guide to coroners' inquiries which contains practical advice to doctors about writing a report for the coroner and appearing at an inquest, along with advice about which deaths to report.

  • MDU questions fairness of doctors' tribunal proposals - 13 June 2011

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) believes that the GMC’s proposals for a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) would not make it independent enough from the GMC. In its consultation response*, the UK’s leading medical defence organisation suggests the GMC needs to do more work to reassure doctors about its plans.

  • MDU reassures Olympic volunteer doctors over indemnity - 22 March 2012

    With the London 2012 Olympic Games just a little over three months away, the Medical Defence Union (MDU) is reassuring members who have been selected to volunteer as part of the medical team at the games that they are covered by their professional indemnity policy of insurance for the work they are doing.

  • MDU reminds doctors of importance of timely reports - 4 June 2010

    Doctors are being advised of the importance of completing reports on time by the Medical Defence Union (MDU) after it was reported that a GP was criticised by a coroner for failing to provide a report into the death of a patient, despite apparently being contacted five times over the previous seven months*.

  • MDU reminds newly qualified doctors importance of independent indemnity - 22 July 2011

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU), is reminding newly qualified doctors of the important benefits that membership to a medical defence organisation can bring after revealing that it had opened 190 new written files for foundation year doctors in 2010. This is in addition to advice provided on the MDU’s 24-hour helpline.

  • MDU reports 50% rise in GMC complaints - 28 March 2001

    The MDU has reported a 50% rise in the number of GMC complaint notifications it has received over the last 12 months. Comparative MDU data showed that 66 GMC cases were referred to the MDU in January and February 2000 while 111 cases were referred during the same period in 2001.

  • MDU reports increase in demand for services - 13 March 2001

    The MDU has reported a significant increase in demand for its services in 2000. New figures show that the MDU took approximately 24,500 advice calls on its helpline and opened some 7,000 new advisory files.

  • MDU responds to court of appeal judgement in the Burke case - 28 July 2005

    The MDU, the defence organisation which represents over 50 per cent of UK doctors and has a membership of over 100,000 practising clinicians, said today's Court of Appeal judgement in favour of the GMC is the right decision as it upholds the GMC's clear guidance on these very important matters.

  • MDU responds to health and social care bill - 16 November 2007

    Responding to today’s publication of the Health and Social Care Bill, the MDU welcomed the establishment of a new body to independently adjudicate on GMC cases. But it warned that the introduction of a civil standard of proof would not improve patient safety and may undermine confidence in the regulatory system.

  • MDU responds to medication errors report - 11 August 2006

    The Medical Defence Union, the UK's largest medical defence organisation for doctors, said that today's Healthcare Commission report into medication errors reflects its own research into the reasons hospital doctor members report medication incidents.

  • MDU response to CMO report on medical regulation - 14 July 2006

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU), the largest indemnifier of UK doctors, gave a cautious welcome today to some of the Chief Medical Officer's proposals to reform medical regulation.

  • MDU response to NHS complaint reforms - 18 December 2003

    Improving the NHS complaints procedure so it is more accessible and independent would be a good thing for patients and doctors alike, the MDU said today in response to draft regulations released for consultation by the Department of Health.

  • MDU review of ombudsman complaints highlights importance of apologising - 20 October 2010

    An MDU analysis of members’ complaints reaching the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman underlines the importance of apologising, thorough investigation and a detailed response to complaints. The findings echo those in a report into complaints handling that has just been published by the Ombudsman.*

  • MDU says revalidation must be fair and evidence-based - 24 July 2008

    Following the publication of the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) Report, Medical Revalidation - Principles and Next Steps, today the MDU welcomes the plans for robust and evidence based assessments of doctors and will work on behalf of our members to ensure that revalidation delivers this.

  • MDU sees doubling in bariatric surgery cases - 21 January 2010

    An analysis of bariatric surgery claims, published by the Medical Defence Union (MDU) today, reveals that there has been a dramatic rise in the number of cases notified in the past two years.

  • MDU separates fact from fiction about Mental Capacity Act - 8 November 2007

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU), which represents over 50 per cent of UK doctors, has issued a series of Q and As to help members understand their obligations under the Mental Capacity Act and to clarify some of the common misconceptions which have been aired in the media.

  • MDU statement in response to baby MB judgement - 15 March 2006

    The MDU said today's High Court judgment in the baby MB case reveals the difficult dilemma doctors face when a consensus cannot be reached about the treatment of a child with severe disabilities.

  • MDU supports creation of national complaints body - 14 December 2001

    The Medical Defence Union was the only medical defence organisation to attend the Complaints and Clinical Negligence - the patient's perspective on the need for reform conference on 11 December hosted by the Consumer's Association).

  • MDU swells ranks to meet demand for ethical and legal advice - 4 January 2005

    The Medical Defence Union has recruited five new medico-legal advisers and one new medical claims handler to meet the demand for its services and further enhance its team of experts. Among the new advisers there are clinicians drawn from a variety of specialisms including general practice, psychiatry, hospital medicine and endocrinology.

  • MDU to help members with revalidation - 6 March 2001

    The MDU announced today that it is launching a programme to help GP members prepare for revalidation. The first part of the programme, a guide to Significant Event Audit with an introduction from Professor Mike Pringle of the RCGP, will be available free to MDU members in March.

  • MDU unconvinced about 'fast track' approach to complex claims - 12 July 2011

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK’s leading medical defence body, today questioned the viability and fairness of introducing a scheme to fast-track low-value clinical negligence claims along the same lines as an existing road traffic accidents scheme.

  • MDU urges caution with cryotherapry - 13 December 2006

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU), says claims often result from routine minor surgical procedures including the use of cryotherapy - where extreme cold is used to remove lesions and diseased tissue - and it is urging GPs to review their protocols and procedures in the light of a new claims analysis.

  • MDU warns GPs to be more vigilant for malignant melanomas - 1 June 2011

    With spring 2011 set to be one of the driest on record and warnings that the UK will have a heat-wave summer, the Medical Defence Union (MDU) has issued advice to GPs to help avoid the pitfalls of treating skin lesions, after revealing that it has been notified of 134 cases involving patients with malignant melanoma in the last five years.

  • MDU warns profession in danger of over–regulation - 14 August 2009

    The medical profession is in danger of becoming over-regulated if proposals to introduce GMC affiliates, responsible officers and recorded concerns do get through, warned the Medical Defence Union (MDU) today.

  • MDU welcomes human tissue bill - 26 November 2003

    The MDU, which provides over half of UK doctors with ethical and legal advice, welcomes the Human Tissue Bill, announced today during the Queen's Speech, which is expected to set out the need for doctors to obtain proper consent from families before they retain organs or tissues after death.

  • MDU welcomes overhaul of coroner service - 4 June 2003

    Today's report by the Coroner Review Group recommends radical reorganisation of the Coroner Service and if many of the changes are implemented, it should avoid some of the inconsistencies in the current procedure, said the MDU.

  • MDU welcomes patient charter of understanding - 16 June 2003

    The MDU, the largest indemnifier of UK doctors, welcomed today's launch of the "Charter of Understanding between Doctors and People affected by Medical Accidents" by Action for Victims of Medical Accidents (AVMA).

  • MDU welcomes plans to reform legal costs in 'no win no fee' cases - 30 March 2011

    The announcement by Justice Secretary Ken Clarke that the Government intends to reform the civil justice system, and in particular conditional fee agreements (CFA) also known as ‘no win no fee agreements’ which have led to excessive and disproportionate legal costs*, has been warmly welcomed by the Medical Defence Union.

  • MDU welcomes proposed postponement of CQC registration for GPs - 20 June 2011

    "Registration with the Care Quality Commission is an additional burden for our GP members at a time of considerable change in the profession. We support its postponement," said The MDU today in response to the government’s proposal to issue a consultation to defer registration of NHS GP practices with the CQC until April 2013.

  • MDU welcomes report on civil litigation costs - 14 January 2010

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK’s leading medical defence organisation today warmly welcomes the Right Honourable Lord Justice Jackson’s final report into civil litigation costs.*

  • MDU wins landmark legal victory for doctors in House of Lords - 28 January 2005

    The MDU, the largest indemnifier of UK doctors, yesterday won a landmark victory at the House of Lords in the case of Gregg v Scott. Had the MDU not won, the case would have seen the erosion of a fundamental principle in clinical negligence law with serious implications for UK clinicians.

  • MDU's long term business strategy coming into its own - 27 September 2002

    The benefits of regulated insurance are clearly revealed in the figures from the Annual Report and Accounts 2001 of the MDU, the UK's leading provider of indemnity and medico-legal assistance to UK doctors.

  • MDU's new head of advisory services takes the helm - 2 July 2010

    The MDU has appointed Dr Michael Devlin as its new head of medical advisory services to head up a team of 32 doctors working as medico-legal advisers and numerous support staff. Dr Devlin has been advising members on medico-legal matters at the MDU for 13 years, most recently as the deputy head of advisory services.

  • Medical manslaughter investigations rare but take toll on doctors - 25 November 2010

    The MDU today revealed it sees very few medical manslaughter investigations a year against doctors, but the criminal investigation is often just the tip of the iceberg. Many other investigations often follow, which can have a devastating effect on a doctor's life, reputation and career.

  • Medico-legal cover for GP appraisers - 12 November 2002

    Today the MDU assured its GP members that they do not need any extra indemnity to cover themselves if they will be carrying out work as appraisers for primary care trusts.

  • Medico-legal risks of practice websites explained - 31 May 2007

    Practices offering general medical information on their websites are being advised to make it clear that the information is intended solely for patients of the practice and that it should not be used as a substitute for personal advice direct from a GP.

  • More doctors sign up for MDU's insurance - 28 July 2003

    More doctors than ever before are signing up to become Medical Defence Union members to benefit from the combination of clinical negligence insurance and traditional discretionary indemnity, it was announced today.

  • More than 200,000 UK doctors and dentists put trust in MDU - 25 August 2011

    Membership of the Medical Defence Union (MDU) reached 202,000 in 2010, for the first time in the organisation’s history. In the MDU’s latest Annual Report, published today, Chief Executive Dr Christine Tomkins said she was delighted that the MDU had achieved this milestone.

  • New advice on recording patient's telephone calls - 26 June 2002

    GPs who want to record patients' telephone calls must not single out conversations with individual callers and must ensure that all callers know they are being taped, said the MDU today. The advice follows GMC guidance on making audio and visual recordings of patients, which is out this week.

  • New advice on videoing and photographing patients - 26 June 2002

    Doctors should no longer use old photographs or videos of patients for teaching purposes unless they have the patient’s consent or the patient is not in any way identifiable, advises the MDU. The advice follows GMC guidance on making audio and visual recordings of patients, which is out this week.

  • New complaints procedure must be equally fair to doctors - 19 June 2007

    Responding to Department of Health proposals for reform of the NHS complaints procedure, the Medical Defence Union (MDU), which assists thousands of doctors each year in responding to complaints, says the procedure must be fair to doctors who are complained about, as well as complainants.

  • New complaints procedure must be fair - 20 June 2007

    Responding to Department of Health proposals for reform of the NHS complaints procedure, the DDU, which assists thousands of dental professionals each year in responding to complaints, says the procedure must be fair to those who are complained about, as well as complainants.

  • New GMC guidance for doctors treating children - 27 September 2007

    Following today’s publication of the first specific GMC guidance on treating children and young people, the Medical Defence Union, whose members include over half of UK doctors, said doctors often face dilemmas when treating under 18s.

  • New guidance on consent in Scotland - 4 July 2002

    New guidance on consent laws, recently enacted in Scotland, will have a major effect on doctors working in that country, says the MDU today. For the first time, it will be possible for relatives or carers of incompetent adults to give consent to, or refuse treatment on their behalf.

  • New guide to private complaints from DDU - 26 May 2006

    The DDU, the specialist dental division of the MDU, has issued its members with a guide to handling complaints about private practice, including a section on the new General Dental Council (GDC) dental complaints service (DCS), which comes into effect today.

  • New head of claims for MDU - 17 March 2004

    The Medical Defence Union, the largest indemnifier of UK’s doctors, has appointed Jill Harding to head its claims handling team of 40 staff. Jill has more than 20 years claims handling experience and has been at the MDU for the past nine years as a senior claims handler and more recently as the claims operations manager.

  • New hospital disciplinary procedure an improvement - 2 January 2004

    The Department of Health's launch of the first two parts of the new framework on handling concerns about the conduct and performance of doctors and dentists is in many respects an improvement on the current hospital disciplinary procedure says the MDU.

  • New legislation may threaten patient confidentiality warns the MDU - 14 May 2002

    The UK’s largest medical defence organisation is calling on the government to introduce additional safeguards to protect confidential patient records as new legislation is set to give civil servants and ministers powers to access medical records without patient consent

  • New MDU advisers represent voices of experience - 12 October 2011

    Former NCAS Deputy Medical Director, Dr Peter Old is the latest of eight new medico-legal advisers who have been recruited to complement the MDU’s existing team since July 2010. As well as being doctors, the new recruits come from diverse professional backgrounds, including general practice, law, genetics, ophthalmology and forensic pathology.

  • New MDU journal for foundation year doctors - 16 December 2008

    Ward Round, a brand new journal for foundation year doctors, has been launched by the Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK’s leading medical defence organisation. Ward Round, will be published twice-yearly and sent to the MDU’s F1 and F2 members.

  • New MDU podcast demystifies claims process - 8 February 2010

    The MDU, the UK’s leading medical defence organisation, has produced a podcast for its members to explain what happens if they are unfortunate enough to be sued by a patient.

  • New MDU website a hit with doctors - 5 June 2002

    With nearly half a million hits in its first two months, the MDU's new website is proving popular with doctors and medical students alike. Over 1,200 members have registered and there have been nearly 20,000 visits since it came online in March.

  • New Year resolutions – with a dento–legal twist - 18 January 2012

    We may be half way through January but if you’ve stalled with your resolutions to lose weight/get fit/reduce stress, the DDU suggests some more achievable goals to get your professional new year off to a good start:

  • New Year resolutions – with a medico–legal twist - 11 January 2012

    If you are still mulling over your new year’s resolutions, among the promises to lose weight/get fit/reduce stress, the MDU suggests the following might contribute positively to your professional year

  • NHS complaints procedure must not become adversarial says MDU - 10 March 2005

    The MDU supported calls by the Health Service Ombudsman, today, to make the NHS complaints system easier for patients to use. However, the MDU, which helps nearly two thousand GP members each year to respond to complaints in primary care, said any changes made to the complaints procedure must not lead it to become an adversarial process.

  • NHS fraud proposals endanger patient confidentiality - 17 January 2005

    The Medical Defence Union, the UK's largest provider of ethical and legal advice to doctors, is concerned at proposals to extend the powers of NHS counter fraud investigators so they could require access to patient confidential information without consent.

  • No rise in complaints against GPs prescribing contraception to under 16s - 8 March 2012

    Despite the recent media controversy surrounding contraceptive implants for under 16s, a study carried out by the Medical Defence Union (MDU) has revealed that in the last 10 years, only 38 complaints were made against GPs members for prescribing contraceptives to under 16s – an average of less than 4 (3.8) per year.

  • Nominations open for DDU education awards 2005 - 11 January 2005

    Dental students and Vocational Dental Practitioners (VDPs) can now nominate their teacher or trainer for the prestigious DDU Education Awards, and for the first time, VDPs can enter a competition to win a "Gap Month" trip to a center of dental excellence in the United States, including travel and expenses.

  • One fifth of claims in plastic surgery involve consent issues - 11 November 2011

    Up to 20% of clinical negligence claims in plastic surgery involve, at least in part, allegations relating to consent to treatment, reveals the Medical Defence Union, the UK’s leading medical defence organisation. For settled claims, this rate increases to 28%.

  • One less task for doctors - 8 August 2001

    Many doctors say they are frequently swamped with paperwork, but they may soon have one less piece of admin to do in the course of their busy working lives.

  • One third of spinal surgery claims not linked to surgical technique - 3 April 2012

    Just over one third of allegations of clinical negligence made against spinal surgeons are unrelated to the surgery itself, according to a study released today in the journal of the Medical Defence Union (MDU), the leading UK medical defence organisation.

  • Only insurance safeguards doctors and patients - 9 November 2005

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK's largest mutual defence organisation, today stressed that only a regulated insurance policy provides adequate safeguards for doctors and patients with negligence claims.

  • Opportunity missed by indemnity review says MDU - 16 July 2010

    The recommendation for mandatory indemnity for healthcare professionals is not before time, said the Medical Defence Union (MDU), but it is disappointed that the recommendations do not go far enough.

  • Out of hours report highlights need for improved communication - 5 May 2006

    Today's National Audit Office (NAO) report into the provision of out of hours medical care in England highlights the need to improve communication between doctors treating patients out of hours and patients' own GPs, the Medical Defence Union (MDU) said.

  • Out–of–hours complaints up by half says MDU - 27 January 2010

    The Medical Defence Union today revealed that there has been a 50 per cent increase in the complaints related to out-of-hours (OOH) consultations notified by its GP members.

  • Overseas doctors need support not blame says MDU - 16 September 2011

    A supportive environment is essential to help doctors who are new to the UK health sector assimilate believes the MDU, as it welcomes the GMC’s recommendation for an induction programme for all doctors entering UK practice in its first report into the state of medical education and training.

  • Pass your finals the MDU way - 10 June 2002

    Medical students have been increasing their chances of passing finals by attending a ten week revision and one day OSCE course held at the MDU offices in London.

  • Patient data scare highlights computer security risk - 12 March 2003

    GPs are being advised not to mix personal and patient data on their computers by the MDU. The warning comes in the week that a hospital launched an investigation after a woman bought a computer chip which allegedly contained patients' medical records.

  • Patients could be left in the lurch by uninsured dentist warns DDU - 17 March 2009

    Patients are at risk of not receiving compensation if they are negligently harmed by a dentist or doctor warned the Dental Defence Union (DDU) today. Under the current, outdated system of dental and medical indemnity, dentists and doctors are still not required to have insurance.

  • Patients could be left in the lurch by uninsured doctors warns MDU - 17 March 2009

    Patients are at risk of not receiving compensation if they are negligently harmed by a doctor or dentist warned the Medical Defence Union (MDU) today. Under the current, outdated system of medical and dental indemnity, doctors and dentists are still not required to have insurance.

  • Patients risk going uncompensated under new government plans - 16 January 2006

    Patients who successfully prove negligence are at risk of not receiving compensation awarded to them, if Department of Health plans for mandatory doctor's indemnity are passed unaltered, according to the Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK's largest medical defence organisation.

  • Patients sue doctors 50 years after treatment - 8 December 2003

    A new analysis of medical negligence claims by the largest indemnifier of UK doctors has revealed that some doctors have been sued by patients 50 years after their treatment.

  • Plastic surgery claims increase over 10 years - 27 January 2005

    On the eve of the publication of Department of Health recommendations about plastic surgery, the Medical Defence Union (MDU) revealed today that it had seen a gradual increase in the numbers of plastic surgery medical negligence claims notified by its members over the last 10 years.

  • Plastic surgery compensation totals £7 million - 6 February 2003

    The bulk of £7 million worth of compensation for patients who suffered harm from private plastic surgery procedures comes from breast augmentations and face lifts, according to new MDU analysis.

  • Practice managers get media advice - 12 December 2005

    The Medical Defence Union has advised practice managers on how to stay calm in a media frenzy in its new Journal for practice managers, In Practice.

  • Practices urged to open eyes to risk - 27 August 2002

    The MDU is urging practices to review their risk management systems in light of a new survey. The survey revealed a number of areas where patient safety might be compromised, including arrangements for protecting confidentiality, lack of nurse protocols and the need for procedures to ensure changes are made after "near misses".

  • Professor Sir Roy Meadow appeal successful - MDU statement - 17 February 2006

    Leading paediatrician Professor Sir Roy Meadow is not guilty of professional misconduct and should remain on the medical register announced Mr Justice Collins, High Court Judge, today in Professor Meadow's appeal against the General Medical Council (GMC) Fitness to Practise Panel (FPP) decision to remove him from the medical register.

  • Professor Sir Roy Meadow Court of Appeal decision - 26 October 2006

    The Court of Appeal today upheld the High Court decision, earlier this year, that leading paediatrician Professor Sir Roy Meadow is not guilty of serious professional misconduct.

  • Proposed changes to civil claims funding will be fairer for all says MDU - 16 February 2011

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK’s leading medical defence organisation, says that civil litigation costs need to be controlled to make the civil justice system fairer to defendant doctors and dentists, but this will not mean patients are unable to seek compensation through the courts.

  • Put an end to excessive legal costs says MDU - 1 February 2009

    Following the announcement that NHS clinical negligence contributions in England are expected to rise by 80% next year, the MDU, said it agreed with the NHS Litigation Authority that disproportionate legal costs awarded to claimants’ solicitors in Conditional Fee Agreements are a key reason for the increase and urged the government to take action.

  • Removing patients often leads to complaints - 29 August 2006

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) today revealed it sees an average of around one case per week in which patients complain after being removed from a practice list.

  • Revalidation alliance presents a new way forward - 17 September 2001

    The UK's biggest medical defence union and the Royal College of General Practitioners today announced they have joined forces to advance the cause of revalidation with the signing of a partnership agreement in London.

  • Scottish complaints reform should focus on independent review - 3 June 2003

    Any reform of the Scottish complaints procedure should focus on the independent review stage as local resolution is working well, the MDU said today in its submission to the Scottish Executive's consultation: Reforming the NHS Complaints Procedure - Patient Focus and Public Involvement.

  • Shortlist for DDU Educational Awards - 10 October 2006

    The Dental Defence Union (DDU) today announces the names of the teachers and trainers considered to be the most inspirational and supportive by students and vocational dental practitioners (VDPs) embarking on their careers as dental professionals.

  • Significant fall in NHS hospital doctor suspensions - 18 July 2005

    The MDU, which provides indemnity and medico-legal advice to over half of UK doctors, has noted a reduction in the number of hospital doctor members who have been suspended by their hospital trust over the last three years.

  • Spinal surgery claims cost MDU £9Million - 17 July 2007

    The Medical Defence Union, the UK’s biggest provider of medical indemnity and insurance to doctors, paid out nearly £9million in damages and legal costs to compensate patients harmed as a result of spinal surgery in the independent sector over a recent ten year period.

  • Standard of proof change may lead to more adverse findings - 1 November 2007

    The Medical Defence Union has voiced its strong opposition to the introduction of the civil standard of proof for all GMC fitness to practise (FTP) panel hearings, which it says will lead to inconsistent and unfair decisions in many cases, which may result in a greater number of legal challenges.

  • Support on the stand – new MDU podcast on giving evidence - 9 December 2009

    Doctors who are called to give factual evidence during a criminal or civil case or inquest can now access useful practical advice through their headphones thanks to the latest MDU podcast, The doctor as a professional witness, now available on the MDU website.

  • Take care when referrals include sensitive information - 18 April 2012

    Doctors are being advised to exercise extra caution when passing on sensitive information, such as about a patient’s sexuality, marital history, termination of pregnancy or psychiatric illness, in referral letters.

  • Take note! says MDU - 6 July 2006

    GPs are being reminded of the importance of making a note of every contact with a patient be it face to face, by telephone or on a home visit, by the MDU.

  • The dangers of multiple jeopardy - 21 November 2011

    The latest MDU podcast discusses a fictionalised case of clinical error that leads to a patient’s death, and a series of investigations into the doctor’s conduct.

  • The future could be telemedicine? - 15 April 2002

    Doctors' legal advisers are suggesting they review their procedures before considering introducing telephone and email consultations. The advice comes in the wake of an NHS modernisation agency initiative to help improve patient accessibility to GPs.

  • Think twice before you e-sign - 4 February 2003

    The MDU is advising members to exercise caution when using computerised "electronic-signatures" if they sign documents where the signature may need to be authenticated at a later date. Certificates, prescriptions and wills for example, may need to be signed by hand.

  • Time running out for risk managers - 6 November 2002

    If your practice has introduced an ingenious solution to a potentially risky problem the MDU wants to hear from you before time runs out. With the closing date of the UK’s first risk management competition fast approaching, it’s time to submit your entry.

  • Tracking patients avoids diagnosis delays - 19 March 2002

    GPs are being advised to review their systems for tracking patients, following a new report from the Audit Commission which shows that fewer than half of hospitals track GP referral letters once they have been passed to a consultant.

  • UK doctors embrace technology - 31 January 2012

    The UK’s doctors are embracing modern communications technology in their day-to-day work with many even recommending health websites or apps to their patients, according to an online survey published today from the Medical Defence Union (MDU).

  • UK out in the cold on insurance question says DDU - 3 October 2008

    The Dental Defence Union, the specialist dental division of the MDU, today warned that the UK was in danger of being one of the last countries in the EU to persist with an outdated system of indemnifying dental professionals which risks leaving patients uncompensated.

  • UK out in the cold on insurance question says MDU - 2 October 2008

    The Medical Defence Union, the UK’s leading medical defence organisation, today warned that the UK was in danger of being one of the last countries in the EU to persist with an outdated system of indemnifying doctors which risks leaving patients uncompensated.

  • Vital database applauded by the MDU - 18 April 2001

    The UK's largest insurance provider for the medical profession has signalled its overwhelming support for today's announcement of the setting up of a national patient safety agency to log failures, mistakes and errors which occur in hospitals and GP surgeries.

  • Welsh dentists must prepare for new complaints scheme - 11 March 2011

    NHS primary care dentists in Wales need to appoint a ‘senior investigations manager’ to investigate patient concerns under a new complaints and redress scheme, some of which is due to come into effect on 1 April this year.

  • Welsh GPs must prepare for new complaints scheme - 10 March 2011

    GPs in Wales need to appoint a ‘senior investigations manager’ to investigate patient concerns under a new complaints and redress scheme, some of which is due to come into effect on 1 April this year.

  • When to make it a family matter - 12 April 2010

    Doctors may occasionally need to disclose information about a diagnosed inherited condition to members of a patient’s family, against the patient’s wishes, says the MDU today.

  • Who inspires you? Asks DDU - 2 June 2006

    The Dental Defence Union (DDU), the specialist dental division of the MDU, is asking students and vocational dental practitioners (VDPs) to nominate the teachers or trainers who have inspired them for the DDU education awards 2006. In doing so students and VDPs could win an iPod.

  • Why doctors should look a gift horse in the mouth - 6 December 2005

    The Medical Defence Union (MDU) is advising doctors that receiving gifts from patients can pose an ethical dilemma and it may be advisable to seek advice before accepting a present.

  • Winners of DDU Education Awards announced - 25 October 2005

    The DDU, the specialist dental division of the MDU, has announced the winners of its educational awards, designed to recognise and reward excellence in dental education.

  • Wrong drug errors top list of GP medication incidents - 26 February 2007

    An analysis of primary care medication incidents reported to the Medical Defence Union's (MDU) medico-legal advice line reveals that the majority of incidents arose from the wrong drug being prescribed or administered.

  • Wrong site surgery - 10 August 2011

    MDU offers risk management advice to help eliminate this preventable event

  • You've got mail - 22 May 2002

    Medical students are to receive the first ever online journal from the UK's largest medical defence organisation.

External Relations

  • Anti–snoring appliances - 10 February 2012

    The DDU has released the following position statement on anti-snoring appliances.

  • Clinical Negligence Reform - the MDU‘s response - 23 April 2002

    The Chief Medical Officer chaired an expert group to review the clinical negligence system. The MDU was part of the group and submitted a detailed response to his "Call for Ideas"

  • Clinical Trials Directive - the MDU's response - 3 May 2003

    The Department of Health issued a consultation document on the UK's proposed implementing regulations which are required to transpose the Clinical Trials Directive into law. The MDU submitted a response.

  • Consultation on proposed MCA regulations amendments - 14 January 2009

    The MDU has responded to the Department of Health's Mental Capacity (Deprivation of Liberty: Monitoring and Reporting) and (Deprivation of Liberty: Standard Authorisations, Assessments and Ordinary Residence) (Amendment) Regulations 2009

  • Consultation on the use of experts - 8 February 2005

    The Legal Services Commission issued a consultation on the use of experts in publicly funded cases. The MDU submitted a response.

  • Copying letters to patients - the MDU's response - 23 August 2002

    The Government's blueprint for radical reform of the NHS, contained a proposal requiring letters between clinicians about a patient's care to be copied to the patient as of right. The MDU offered comments welcoming the initiative and providing detailed suggestions how best to avoid breaching confidentiality, respecting consent and avoiding harm.

  • Countering NHS fraud - 12 January 2005

    The Department of Health issued a consultation document on access to documents, records and data to counter NHS fraud. The MDU submitted a response.

  • Draft Mental Health Bill - the MDU's response - 7 September 2002

    The Government published their draft Mental Health Bill in June 2002. The MDU submitted comments and highlighted concerns that various proposals could be incompatible with GMC requirements.

  • GMC to make changes to registration and fitness to practise - 1 December 2006

    The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006 was made on 19 July 2006. Principally it makes a number of changes to the Medical Act 1983, and provides the GMC with powers to change certain aspects of its registration and fitness to practise procedures.

  • Human bodies, Human Choices - the MDU's response - 10 October 2002

    The Department of Health published their consultation paper Human Bodies, Human Choices in July 2002. The MDU submitted its comments, welcoming legislation to clarify the law in this area and put good practice onto a statutory footing but cautioned against a complex system of consent.

  • Making amends - the MDU's response - 16 October 2003

    The Chief Medical Officer published a paper setting out recommendations for clinical negligence reform. The MDU submitted a detailed response.

  • MDU briefing for House of Lords - Health & Social Care Bill - 28 November 2007

    The MDU has taken part, on behalf of its members, in the consultation exercises that preceded the publication of the Health and Social Care Bill and expressed concern about a number of proposals that feature in the Bill that is presented to the House of Lords.

  • Patient's rights in cross–border healthcare - 11 November 2008

    The MDU prepared a submission to the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union Inquiry into The European Commission’s proposed directive on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare.

  • Reforming the NHS complaints procedure - 5 April 2004

    The Healthcare Commission issued a consultation document on the independent review stage of the new complaints procedure. The MDU submitted a response.

  • Standard of Proof - 28 November 2007

    The MDU has responded to the GMC's proposal on the Standard of Proof.

  • The MDU's briefing on Health and Social Care Bill - 23 November 2007

    The MDU has taken part, on behalf of its members, in the consultation exercises that preceded the publication of the Health and Social Care Bill and expressed concern about a number of proposals that now feature in the legislation.

  • The MDU's briefing on the proposed new OHPA - 3 December 2007

    Whilst the MDU is in agreement with the principle that the adjudication function should be independent of the GMC, we have some concerns with the proposed Office of the Health Professions Adjudicator (OHPA).

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