QU AR TER TWO / 2019


Editor Dr Barry Parker


Managing editor Jim Killgore


Associate editor Joanne Curran


Editorial departments Medical Dr Richard Brittain Dental Mr Aubrey Craig Legal Sara Foster


Design and production Connect Communications 0131 561 0020 www.connectmedia.cc


Printing and distribution L&S Litho


Correspondence Insight Editor MDDUS Mackintosh House 120 Blythswood Street Glasgow G2 4EA


jkillgore@mddus.com


4 MDDUS news 6 News digest


8 Briefing First steps to a digital NHS


9 Risk Detached but personal


Cover image Waiting for the tide, Sarah Knox. Mixed media and collage, 2014. Originally from North Norfolk, Sarah studied Fine Art and English Literature at Exeter University. Her work often involves shoreline or harbour scenes, using mixed media techniques including collograph prints .


Art in Healthcare (formerly Paintings in Hospitals Scotland) works with hospitals and healthcare communities across Scotland to encourage patients, visitors and staff to enjoy and engage with the visual arts. For more information visit www.artinhealthcare.org.uk Scottish Charity No SC 036222.


10 A new ‘normal’ Dame Clare Marx – the first woman chair of the GMC in its 160-year history – discusses some of the challenges facing the regulator and UK healthcare in general


12 Don’t ‘go it alone’ MDDUS advisers are here to assist members at the outset of complaints, claims and all regulatory matters. Not seeking assistance at an early stage can have far-reaching consequences


14 Do me a favour Dental adviser Mike Williams examines a very particular pitfall in patient consent


16 Case files Suspicious freckle, Eye test error, Registered with conditions, Broken root, Assault allegation, Private interpreter


20 Dilemma Covert recording made public


21 Ethics Socratic scrum


22 Addenda Book choice: Unnatural causes, Object obscura: John Hunter life mask, Crossword and Vignette: James McCune Smith, first African-American to obtain a medical degree


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Insight is published quarterly by The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland, registered in Scotland No 5093 at Mackintosh House, 120 Blythswood Street, Glasgow G2 4EA. Tel: 0333 043 4444 Fax: 0141 228 1208 Email: General: info@mddus.com Membership services: membership@mddus.com Marketing: marketing@mddus.com Website:www.mddus.com The MDDUS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MDDUS are discretionary as set out in the Articles of Association. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in Insight are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland.


MDDUS INSIGHT / 3


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