Section 4Treatment issues
A Good Samaritan MDU advice
In the 20 years since his graduation, a member was The MDU adviser reviewed a statement the member had
called upon to act as a Good Samaritan only once - prepared in readiness for the police visit, and suggested
and said he felt very vulnerable indeed. some amendments. The member was advised that if
The member had left clinical practice a couple of years
further statements were needed, or if he was asked to
earlier to pursue a career in medical writing, but had
attend court as a witness, then he should contact the
remained with the MDU as a retired member. He was
MDU again. He was also reminded of the GMC guidance
returning home from a long weekend with his wife
then in force, namely ‘In an emergency, wherever it may
(a consultant anaesthetist), their young children and the
arise, you must offer anyone at risk the assistance you
family pet when he turned a corner to find a car blocking
could reasonably be expected to provide.’
1
the road having collided with a tree trying to avoid an The member told the MDU that while he was already
oncoming motorbike. The member and his family were aware of this advice, he still found it immensely
the first on the scene. reassuring to speak to someone who could be objective
An assessment of the situation was made. While the
about the incident. He said he had found the MDU
member’s wife attended to the driver of the car, who
extremely supportive all along the line.
was trapped along with a front seat passenger, the The member and his wife submitted their statements
member went to see what help he could give to the to the police, but heard nothing more, though they
motorbike rider who had come off his bike and who was subsequently received a letter of thanks from the
walking about with only minor injuries. surviving occupant of the car.
The member had called the emergency services The MDU receives many queries every year from
straightaway and it was probably only a few minutes members regarding their obligations in respect to Good
before the first ambulance and police car arrived. But, as Samaritan Acts including from retired members. A
he explained, it felt considerably longer. The air ambulance recurring concern is the level of help that is expected
followed in due course, together with a fire crew who from a doctor who is no longer in active clinical practice.
proceeded to cut the top off the car while the member’s
wife continued her efforts to resuscitate the driver.
The GMC’s guidance was amended in the November
2006 edition of Good Medical Practice, and now reads:
The member divided his time between trying to help his ‘In an emergency, wherever it arises, you must offer
wife, trying to ensure that his ‘patient’ was stable, and assistance, taking account of your own safety, your
trying to persuade his children that remaining in the car competence, and the availability of other options for
was much safer than watching the firemen at close range. care.’
2
It took over an hour for all of the injured to be removed Members are advised that it is expected that they will
and taken to hospital. The driver, who the member’s wife offer assistance but it is accepted that the care provided
and the paramedics had tried so hard to save, was declared will depend on the experience of the individual doctor.
dead at the scene. The MDU is the only defence organisation to offer its UK
The attending policeman warned both the member and
policy-holding members insurance cover for Good
his wife that statements would be necessary and that
Samaritan Acts anywhere in the world. Retired members,
they would be visited later in the week. It was not clear
or members without policies, can also request assistance
at this point whether the matter would be the subject of
on the traditional discretionary basis.
a criminal investigation or whether it would remain with
the coroner.
1
GMC Good Medical Practice paragraph 9 (May 2001)
The member called the MDU advice line. He explained
2
GMC Good Medical Practice paragraph 11 (November 2006)
that he felt he had been of little real help. He said he
had been acutely aware of his time out of clinical
practice and had breathed a sigh of relief when the
paramedics had taken over. He said he had also been
torn between his wish to help and his need to keep his
family safe while his wife was fully occupied with the
driver of the car.
“…you must offer assistance, taking account of
your own safety, your competence, and the
availability of other options for care…”
27
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74