MPractice Ombudsman investigations to rise


COMPLAINTS against medical and den- tal practices in England are more likely to be investigated by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman under new procedures enacted in April. The plans were outlined in a recent


statement from the Ombudsman ser- vice which said: “The starting point will be that once a complaint meets some basic tests, it will usually be investi- gated. This means the Ombudsman service will be investigating and sharing the learning from thousands more complaints each year.”


The Ombudsman has also pledged to


share more information on complaints with government organisations and the NHS in order to identify service failures and deliver service improvement, espe- cially in light of the recent findings by the Mid Staffordshire Public Inquiry. Julie Mellor, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman said: “We want complaints to make a difference and help improve public services for


Patient guide to doctors’ key duties


A GUIDE for patients on what they should expect from their doctor has been pub- lished by the General Medical Council. What to expect from your doctor: a guide for patients explains that doctors must act quickly if they think a patient’s “safety, dignity or comfort is being com- promised” and advises patients to inform a doctor, nurse or other health professional if they become aware of any safety risks. It also advises patients to ask for clarification if they are struggling to understand what the doctor is telling them, including technical words or jargon. The guide is based on the GMC’s core guidance Good


What to expect from your doctor: a guide for patients Based on Good medical practice


Medical Practice and explains how patients can “help create a partnership with your doctor.” It covers key topics such as patient safety, dignity and respect in the patient-doctor relationship and the standard of conduct, knowledge and skills doctors should achieve. The guide is available on the GMC website (www.gmc-uk.org).


GDC gives green light


to direct access


DENTAL hygienists and therapists will now be able to offer treatment without a prescription or patients having to see a dentist first under new GDC rules. The decision to remove the barrier to direct access for some dental care profes-


sionals was made following a GDC consultation and the changes came into effect on 1 May 2013. GDC guidance on the changes states that dental hygienists and therapists must


be confident that they have the skills and competences required to treat patients direct and suggests that a “period of practice working to a dentist’s prescription is a good way for registrants to assess this”. Also under the new rules, dental nurses will be allowed to participate in preven-


tative programmes. Dental professionals and practice managers are encouraged to get in touch with the GDC if they have any questions.


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Government challenges change on criminal records checks


SOME prospec- tive employees in England and Wales may not have to disclose their criminal records following a landmark court ruling.


The Court of Appeal decided that a require-


ment to disclose criminal convictions when applying for certain jobs is a breach of a person’s human rights. The scheme in Scotland, known as Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG), is not under review. The government, however, is set to challenge the rul-


ing. At the heart of the Court of Appeal ruling is the issue of declaring ‘spent’ criminal convictions – crimes, often minor, which were committed a long time ago. The disclosure of old convictions and cautions was designed to protect children and vulnerable adults. Those applying to work with those groups must be subject to an enhanced check under which spent convictions are disclosed. The government is taking its case to the Supreme


Court. But if the Supreme Court backs the Court of Appeal’s decision then the current criminal records check system will have to be reformed to introduce a ‘proportionate system’.


In the meantime, while it is under review, it is business as usual for those undertaking such checks.


Did you know?


THE Employment Law team at MDDUS have a range of useful documentation available, including a template contract of employment, template handbook including social media policy and fact sheets addressing such topics as disciplinary, short-term absence, changing contracts and redundancy. If you are interested in receiving any of these docu-


ments, please email employmentlaw@mddus.com


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everyone. There will be more oppor- tunities for service providers to learn from complaints which can be used to improve public services. We still want complaints to be resolved locally wherever possible. By sharing more of the learning from complaints that do come to us, we will help organisations get better at resolving the complaints themselves.”


Employment Law


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MDDUS publishes a twice-yearly online Employment Law Update that brings you up-to-date news and features covering the latest employment law hot topics.


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