NEWS
Manager
Practice
The major changes afoot in the health service may well have increased stress levels in practices up and down the country. The costs of stress can be high, so Law At Work’s article on page 6 offers valuable advice on how managers can tackle the issue.
THERE IS A SAYING THAT THE only thing that remains the same is change. As managers we cope with change constantly. It is our ability to manage change, and how we present it to our teams which may measure how successful we are. Continuing professional development is vital in how we deal with the challenges our practices face. Cherryl Adams highlights this very effectively in her article on change management on page 7.
One practice accustomed to change is Weeping Cross Health Centre in Stafford, which is at the frontline of NHS reforms in England. Practice manager Steve Powell is chairman of the local Pathfinder consortium and talks to MDDUS editor Jim Killgore on page 10about how practice management might evolve under new government plans.
The Bribery Act comes into force this year and MDDUS HR adviser Janice Sibbald offers advice on page 8on what this means for practices in dealing with gifts or hospitality. The important HR issue of short term absence is tackled by Law At Work on page 5while the tricky matter of disclosing medical and dental records is looked at by MDDUS solicitor Lindsey McGregor on page 12.
The Call Log on page 4highlights calls made to MDDUS advisers, with advice on topics such as data protection, consent and patient harassment. The case study on page 14analyses a case involv- ing an incorrect test result in a warfarin patient.
Aileen Wilson Editor
MDDUS practice manager workshops
MDDUS is pleased to present a series of workshops on a range of key topics in medical and dental practice management. The programme launches on
24 August, 2011, with a workshop entitled ‘Leadership and Devel- oping your Team’, which will help managers understand leadership qualities, evaluate their own style and understand factors affecting individual and team motivation. The next session takes place
on 13 September on the topic of ‘Change Management’. This focuses on understanding the forces for change in an organisation and the effects of change on people. Sessions continue with an
‘Introduction to Risk Management’ on 26 October, which looks at risk management, assessment,
perception and treatment. This is followed by a workshop on ‘Recruiting, Selecting and Induct- ing New Staff’ on 12 January, 2012, while the fifth session on 21 February explores the topic of ‘Assertiveness.’ Delegates are welcome to
attend all five days or to select individual workshops to suit their needs. All workshops will be based at the MDDUS offices in Glasgow and run from 10am to 4pm. They cost £20 for members and £40 for non-members, with fees covering administration and lunch costs only. For more information or to book
a place contact Ann Fitzpatrick, Course Administrator, on
afitzpatrick@mddus.comor 0845 270 2034.
EDITOR: Aileen Wilson FIHM
ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Jim Killgore Joanne Curran
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CMYK Design
www.cmyk-design.co.uk
PRINT: arc colourprint
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CORRESPONDENCE: PM Editor MDDUS Mackintosh House 120 Blythswood Street Glasgow G2 4EA
t: 0845 270 2034 e:
PM@mddus.com w:
www.mddus.com
Practice Manager is published by The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland, Registered in Scotland No 5093 at Mackintosh House, 120 Blythswood Street, Glasgow G2 4EA. The MDDUS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MDDUS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Guidance on new rights for agency workers
NEW regulations giving agency workers rights to the same basic employment and working conditions as permanent employees will come into effect later this year and the government has published guidance to help employers comply with the changes. The Agency Workers Regulations implement the EU Agency
Workers Directive as agreed in 2008 and will come into force in the UK on 1 October 2011. This means that agency workers will have rights to the same basic employment and working conditions as if they had been recruited directly by a company, if and when they complete a 12- week qualifying period in a job. Key changes also cover elements of pay, duration of working time,
night work, rest periods and breaks, annual leave and paid time off for ante-natal appointments. Access the guidance for Agency Workers Regulations at
http://tinyurl.com/66uszcm
SUMMER 2011ISSUE 4
PHOTO: BILL BAIN
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