NOTICE BOARD


colleagues into the profession. Tools of the Trade provides a great way of doing just that, emphasising how at the heart of every medical consultation sit people. The compassion these poems represent will, I hope, underpin every medical career.” The book includes a foreword by MDDUS Chairman Dr Brendan Sweeney who said: “Reflecting on poetry, and indeed on all the Arts, can produce a different sort of doctor: one who is richer and deeper as an individual.” Copies can also be purchased from the online shop at the Scottish Poetry Library www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk.


MDDUS response to General Practice Forward View


RESPONDING to NHS England’s recent General Practice Forward View package that was unveiled in April, MDDUS chief executive Chris Kenny said: “MDDUS welcomes the planned


investment to improve patient care and reduce the workload on general practice. Greater resources and new ways of working will reduce risk and can address rising numbers of complaints and claims. “We also welcome wider debate on


proper resourcing and legal reform in order to reduce the costs faced by the profession. MDDUS has long believed that the object of a fair system for resolving clinical negligence claims should be timely, proper and just compensation for those wrongly damaged. “We strongly support the introduction


of a fixed recoverable cost scheme, especially for lower value claims. It is in everyone’s interest to ensure that patients rather than the legal services industry benefit from properly advanced claims and settlements.”


“MDDUS will continue to work together with NHS England and the Department of Health as we seek solutions to common problems. If that’s delivered, then the profession will remain in control of its indemnity risk, which its own expert bodies like MDDUS are best placed to manage.”


paternity leave, cannot normally be rectified retrospectively. Call the Membership Team for details. ● NEW GP IN YOUR PRACTICE? Please note that MDDUS Membership Services require a minimum of 28 days’ notice for


SUMMER 2016


prospective members to apply for membership. To assess an application, we must request information from the GP’s existing indemnifier and responses can take as long as four weeks. We would therefore advise new GPs in your


practice to submit membership applications at least four weeks in advance – but the sooner the better. It is important that GPs maintain alternative indemnity arrangements until MDDUS membership is confirmed.


● SUPPORTING TRANSGENDER PATIENTS New advice to help doctors support transgender patients has been published by the GMC, based on core guidance and recent legislation. Access at www.gmc-uk.org/guidance


5


Spotting the ‘vital signs’ of burnout THE Royal Medical Benevolent Fund has developed a free downloadable online


guide for doctors and their families called The Vital Signs by Dr Richard Stevens, which highlights common stressful trigger points for doctors, as well as signposting help and advice. This is part of a new RMBF campaign called ‘What’s Up Doc?’ which aims to highlight the care and support it offers to doctors who are working and living under increasing pressure. The RMBF runs a 250-strong volunteer network, which includes area visitors, medical liaison officers, phone friends and guild officers. A survey conducted by the RMBF found that over 80 per cent of doctors know of


other doctors experiencing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. It also revealed that doctors are unlikely to reach out for fear of discrimination or stigma from colleagues (84 per cent), or are inhibited by their own “high achieving” personality traits (66 per cent). RMBF chief executive Steve Crone says: “We know that many doctors are reticent about coming forward and seeking help, and others don’t know what help is available – we want that to change. “Last year, the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund helped 40 doctors return to work


or remain in employment and provided 212 beneficiaries with financial assistance. However, we know that even more doctors and their families around the UK could benefit from our help.” The RMBF recently held an expert roundtable debate at the Royal College of


Physicians – sponsored by MDDUS and attended by medical adviser Dr John Holden (below, centre) – to explore how the healthcare community can come together to help support doctors. A full write-up of this meeting has been published in the May issue of Pulse magazine and the highlights can be viewed at www.rmbf.org along with a link to The Vital Signs publication.


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