News MDDUS THE EDITOR FROM


YOU may be wondering what happened to Summons. Well after some long thought and discussion – informed by a recent readership survey – we have decided that now is the time to relaunch the magazine under a new name – Insight. Summons has been the title of the MDDUS membership journal since 1989 when it was little more than a newsletter. It has undergone various revamps over the years under the same name – and for longstanding members has been a familiar and regular item in the letterbox. But the name has always been a source of debate, with some members finding it “quirky” and memorable, and others less than amused receiving a regular “Summons in the post”. So we have opted for a title that is decidedly more positive and aspirational – our aim to offer members helpful and interesting “insights” into good practice and proactive risk management. We have also taken this opportunity to make a few changes on the inside in response to reader feedback. Our case studies section has been expanded from two to four pages along with the range of case types – as stories are always more compelling


“We have opted for a title that is more positive and aspirational – our aim to offer members helpful and interesting ‘insights’”


when considering risk. We have added a couple more semi-regular features – a Briefing page that picks apart a current regulatory or medico- legal issue in more detail and also a Dilemma page to alternate with occasional first person accounts of particular difficulties faced by members. Design-wise, we have tried to make the pages a little less text heavy as the one thing all our members have in common is hefty workloads and often little time to wade through long articles. We hope you will appreciate this new- look magazine and we welcome any feedback or suggestions – as it is your Insight.


Dr Barry Parker


MDDUS advice line there to be used


MDDUS is keen to dispel the myth that contacting the advice line impacts on individual subscription rates. Members are encouraged to seek advice from our team of experienced medico-legal and dento-legal advisers at the earliest opportunity – and are not penalised for doing so. MDDUS chief executive Chris Kenny said: “As we have repeatedly made clear to the BMA and a number of LMCs who raise this issue, we can give a categorical assurance that the underwriting and pricing decisions of MDDUS are not affected by the number of times members contact the organisation for advice.


“Indeed, MDDUS positively encourages members to make use of the advice


line available to them as a benefit of membership. We believe seeking our advice will assist the member in adopting safer clinical practice and we would never penalise them for contacting us for advice.”


Subscription renewal advice


MEMBERS receiving their annual renewal notice in 2017 should note that the subscription has been calculated on the basis of the NHS post, private earnings or sessions declared to us at the time of joining or last renewal (whichever came later). You should check this carefully and ensure that it remains appropriate for the year to come.If any change


4 / MDDUS INSIGHT / Q1 2017


is required then please inform us immediately so that a revised renewal notice can be issued. We realise that it may be difficult


to predict accurately the extent of your future work – we will allow you to make reasonable adjustments at any time during the year and up to one year following the end of each membership year. Please note that we may require proof of earnings or clinical activity, as set out in the MDDUS Membership Agreement. MDDUS provides direct debit facilities for your convenience,


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