NOTICE BOARD


Undiminished growth at MDDUS


MEMBERSHIP numbers at MDDUS continue to grow with a 2.74 per cent increase in the year 2010 and 7.6 per cent of the growth among GPs outside Scotland. These are some of the highlights of the MDDUS Annual Report and Accounts 2010 published last month and reported at the Union’s Annual General Meeting. Our total membership at 1 July 2011


stood at 29,782 and we expect to break the 30,000 mark later this year. Our estimated market share among GPs in England has grown to over 13.6 per cent compared to 8 per cent in 2005, with our Scottish GP market share remaining stable at over 95 per cent. One highlight of the year was the award of a contract to MDDUS to provide access


to indemnity and medico-legal assistance for a cohort of doctors being employed as associates in training (AiTs) at NHS North Lancashire (North Lancashire Teaching Primary Care Trust). This will provide the PCT savings on indemnity and administrative costs and will bring MDDUS new medical members over the next four years with increased revenue to support this growth. An award of this kind of contract underlines the “national” role we play in medical and dental defence. The year 2010 also proved a busy one for the MDDUS Professional Services Division. Our medical advisers dealt with a record 9,779 calls and other member contacts in 2010 – up more than 7 per cent on the year before. One possible reason for the increasing number of telephone calls, letters and emails to advisers is that doctors are becoming more risk aware and proactive in seeking advice at an early stage. Analysis reveals that the top five reasons for contacting MDDUS are: patient complaints, confidentiality, general claims advice, GMC/GDC issues and difficult patients. Calls from clinicians raising issues about problems with their colleagues also increased during the last year.


Expansion of Glasgow premises MDDUS is pleased to announce that


it will be expanding its Glasgow premises at Mackintosh House, having purchased the adjoining property at 167 Bath Street. The spacious B-listed Georgian townhouse will provide much needed additional office and meeting space with a dedicated training suite for MDDUS Training and Consultancy services. MDDUS hopes to have the necessary access links and renovations completed early in 2012.


IN BRIEF


l TEREMA DISCOUNT MDDUS members are entitled to a discount on master classes run by the training firm Terema – a group of healthcare and aviation professionals with extensive experience in teaching Crew Resource Management (CRM) within the airlines. Terema have


4


adapted their methods to suit the NHS in particular and provide training in any environment where safety and efficiency are important. For more details go to


www.tinyurl.com/3tdyub4 l LONDON EMPLOYMENT LAW WORKSHOP Join us at the MDDUS


offices in London for this interactive afternoon session. Topics include altering employment contracts, managing disciplinary matters and grievances and effectively dealing with short and long-term absence. You will be given best practice advice and also have the opportunity


to share experiences with other members through discussion and case studies. The workshop is being run by our own in-house employment law advisers. Target audience: GPs, dentists and practice managers. Date: 2 November 2011 (13:00 – 16:00). The price is £10 for


SUMMONS


MDDUS membership for physicians assistants


MDDUS has introduced a new associate grade of membership for healthcare professionals who are working as physicians assistants. This will provide indemnity for those


physicians assistants working in non- indemnified posts. An alternative grade of membership for those working in indemnified posts is also available, providing advisory services and representation at local disciplinary proceedings. The subscription rates are £55 for an indemnified physician assistant and £1,100 for a non-indemnified physician assistant. For further details contact our Membership Department on 0845 270 2038 or email: membership@mddus.com


GPs doing cosmetic surgery A PRIVATE GP


subscription rate exists for MDDUS members who are involved in cosmetic surgery procedures, such as hair transplants or tattoo removal. It is essential that GPs ensure they are in the correct category of membership for all the work they perform. Please contact the


Membership Services Department on 0845 270 2038 for further information.


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