NOTICE BOARD


Child protection – everyone’s responsibility THE recent GMC case into the conduct of the GP responsible for the care of


Daniel Pelka has again highlighted issues in relation to child abuse. This four-year- old boy died in 2012 after having been abused over a period of time by his mother and her partner, both of whom were given life sentences for his murder. The GP in question faced serious allegations and investigation by the GMC in


form will be provided to members at the time of renewal. For more information, please visit the MDDUS website at http:// tinyurl.com/opud3uk


MDDUS welcomes plans to cap clinical negligence legal fees


MDDUS has welcomed government plans to cap legal fees in clinical negligence cases against the NHS in England. The proposal aims to control excessive legal costs by setting a fixed tariff for claims up to £100,000. At present there is no limit on legal fees (other than any reductions or controls imposed by court assessment procedures), even if the compensation claim is for a small amount. MDDUS supports moves that will benefit patients who have been harmed and ensure that lawyer fees are more proportionate to the compensation received by a patient. The proposal will be open to public consultation in the autumn and it is hoped the changes will save the NHS millions of pounds each year. MDDUS CEO Chris Kenny says: “Medical negligence awards are made for the benefit of harmed patients, not the profitability of the legal services industry. “We welcome the government’s


determination to cap wasteful costs and hope that their autumn proposals take the form of a practical, comprehensive action plan, capable of early implementation.”


at www.mddus.com (using your surname and membership number). ● HUMAN FACTORS MASTERCLASS MDDUS have partnered with aviation and healthcare safety experts Terema to bring you this excellent


SUMMER 2015


relation to his professional involvement. These included a failure to act adequately when presented with information that the patient may be a victim of maltreatment and was at significant risk, failure to arrange an urgent examination and failure to share the information with the local safeguarding lead, social services or any other relevant organisation. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) panel found that the GP’s conduct in this matter amounted to misconduct. This serves as a reminder of what is expected of doctors in relation to matters of child protection. Dentists too have responsibilities in this area. Healthcare professionals are usually vigilant when the possibility of child abuse arises, but timely intervention is necessary. This case highlights the serious risk to the child involved and the professional consequences which will arise. The MPTS panel did not find that the doctor’s fitness to practise was impaired, but their finding of misconduct nonetheless shows that such matters are regarded very seriously. As a body of professionals


we have a duty to protect and promote the health and well being of children and young people. The GMC makes it very clear that the responsibility to act on concerns about children lies


with every doctor. In Good Medical Practice, paragraph 27 states: “Whether or not you have vulnerable adults or children and young people as patients you should consider their needs and welfare and offer them help if you think their rights have been abused or denied.” This is further expanded upon in Protecting children and young people, clarifying


that this means “all doctors must act on any concerns they have about the safety or welfare of a child or young person”. The GDC states in its Standards for the Dental Team: “You must raise any concerns you may have about the possible abuse or neglect of children or vulnerable adults. You must know who to contact for further advice and how to refer concerns to an appropriate authority such as your local social services department. You must find out about local procedures for the protection of children and vulnerable adults. You must follow these procedures if you suspect that a child or vulnerable adult might be at risk because of abuse or neglect.” MDDUS urges members to be sensitive to the welfare of children and young people and ensure you are aware of the appropriate local personnel, policies and procedures in relation to matters concerning child abuse.


Dr Gail Gilmartin, medical and risk adviser at MDDUS


programme based on their experience teaching crew resource management (CRM) within the airlines. The course will be run on 5 and 6 November 2015 at Heathrow. Cost: £470 + VAT. Contact risk@mddus.com to book.


● NEW LAW ON REMOTE PRESCRIBING Members are reminded that a new EU law came into effect on 1 July 2015 requiring doctors to prescribe only drugs that are licensed for use where the patient lives – for example,


when they are prescribing drugs via online consultations. More details are provided in an MHRA policy document – Selling human medicines online (distance selling) to the public – which can be accessed at www.gov.uk


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