NEWS DIGEST


the UK as they did not provide evidence of their language knowledge. Prior to the new law these doctors would have been able to secure a licence to practise. European doctors can evidence their language skills in a number of ways, including provision of an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) certificate meeting the GMC’s criteria, or proof of having obtained a primary medical qualification where all of the course was taught and examined solely in English.


Overworked GPs risk patient safety GP FATIGUE due to overwork threatens patient safety on a “widespread


Implant training among GDPs mainly “theoretical” CURRENT dental education in the UK at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels does not instil confidence in GDPs to provide and maintain dental implants, according to a study published in the British Dental Journal. Researchers from the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry surveyed 91 GDPs working in a group of practices in the West Midlands. Sixty-seven (77 per cent) stated that they learnt only “theoretical aspects” of dental implants during their undergraduate training and the majority felt the training they received was inadequate.


Barriers in dental implant provision by


general dentists were identified as the risk of failure (56.3 per cent), concern over potential complications (65.5 per cent) and the cost of learning (51.7 per cent). The results were correlated to the implant competences set by regulatory organisations such as the General Dental Council and Association of Dental Education Europe.


● NICE LAUNCHES NEW CANCER STRATEGY NICE has updated and redesigned its 2005 guidelines to support GPs in recognising the signs and symptoms of 37 different cancers and refer people for appropriate


SUMMER 2015


scale”, says the RCGP in a new consultation paper. The College claims that unrelenting and increasing workload pressures are pushing GPs to their limits – having to cope with growing patient numbers and diminishing resources. It says that GPs are working longer days seeing patients, followed by many hours after surgery and at weekends trying to keep up-to -date with urgent paperwork, such as hospital referrals. The College acknowledges that safety risks in general practice are inherently


lower than those in hospitals but warns that there is considerable potential for patient harm through medication errors, mistaken patient identity and other risks.


GP consultations between 2008/9 and 2013/14 rose by 19 per cent in England alone yet the total number of GPs across the UK grew by just 4.1 per cent in that period. GPs are also seeing an increasing number of patients with multiple and chronic conditions which are more difficult to deal with in a standard 10-minute consultation. In the consultation paper – Patient safety implications of general practice


workload – the College offers proposals for protecting the wellbeing of GPs to prevent them becoming too exhausted to provide safe care to patients. These include regular, mandatory breaks for staff to minimise the possibility of errors and a mechanism to identify practices under extreme workload pressures – and for measures to be urgently implemented to relieve these pressures. RCGP Chair Dr Maureen Baker said: “Few of us would voluntarily board a plane flown by a visibly tired pilot or get on a train where we knew the driver had spent too much time at the controls – yet there are no methods or systems for addressing doctor and staff fatigue in general practice. “GP fatigue is a clear and present danger to patient safety – and we urgently


need to find workable solutions that will keep our patients safe now and in the future.”


tests more promptly. Tables linking signs and symptoms to possible cancers are included with simple recommendations about diagnostic testing and referrals to specialist services. Access at www.nice.org. uk/guidance/NG12


● “CREDENTIALING” TO ENSURE COMPETENCE Doctors who have been awarded credentials in particular fields of practice would have this recorded in the medical register in new proposals by the GMC.


A consultation on the process – known as “credentialing” – has been launched and the GMC is inviting views. More information can be found at www.gmc-uk.org. The consultation closes on 4 October 2015.


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