NEWS Manager Practice REQUEST A SPEAKER


anyway without your knowledge and be within their rights. On page 7 employment law adviser Liz Symon offers some points to consider when agreeing a phased return to work for an employee coming back from a long-term absence. Workflow optimisation or


AT the start of my introduction it is my very sad job to announce the death of my colleague and joint editor of Practice Manager magazine, Scott Obrzud. Please see our tribute to him on the page opposite. Social prescribing in general


practice seems to come in all varieties now – from Parkrun to bird watching – and the benefits do seem obvious for those who choose to engage. In our profile on page 10 we hear about an innovative GP garden project helping patients in Lambeth, south London. An increasing number of


patients are now asking to record their own consultations. On page 6 Alan Frame argues why it is best to try and accommodate such requests within reason – not least because they might just do it


COVER PHOTOGRAPH: DAN WELLDON


correspondence management has been shown to ease GP workloads in some practices but concerns have been raised that it may put patient safety at risk. On page 8, risk adviser Kay Louise Grant investigates and provides some helpful action points on implementation. No matter what our role, we


are all project managers – and on page 12 Alan Gaw offers some tips on keeping your project on track. WhatsApp was not designed to be used in the workplace but many primary care staff in MDDUS report being included in practice group chats or wider clinical groups. Does this bring risks? What about “banter” and “crossing the line”? Liz Price ponders these and other questions on page 13. Check our regular Call Log on pages 4-5 with advice on DNACPR forms, photocopy charges, confidentiality after death and more. Our case on page 14 concerns a missed warning on a medication allergy.


 Helen Ormiston Editor


EXTENDED COVER FOR EDITOR: Helen Ormiston


MANAGING EDITOR: Jim Killgore


ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Joanne Curran


DESIGN: Connect Communications www.connectmedia.cc


PRINT: 21 Colour www.21colour.co.uk


CORRESPONDENCE: PM Editor MDDUS Mackintosh House 120 Blythswood Street Glasgow G2 4EA


t: 0333 043 4444 e: PM@mddus.com w: www.mddus.com


PRACTICE STAFF MDDUS has launched a new product in England and Wales to provide practices and practice groups with peace of mind that non-GP staff are properly protected and have advice and support for the work that they undertake.


Primary Care Team Professional Advice Protection (PCT-PAP)


provides non-GP members of practice teams in England and Wales access to advice and support with complaints in respect of clinical practice indemnified by state-backed indemnity schemes (CNSGP and GMPI). PCT-PAP offers support for practice nurses, nurse practitioners, paramedics, physiotherapists, HCAs, phlebotomists, emergency care practitioners and administrative staff. PCT-PAP also provides regulated non-GP members of the team with


access to indemnity for a defined range of non-NHS work undertaken on behalf of the practice with registered patients and NHS patients within your primary care network. Activities include travel clinics, insurance reports and more. The cost is free to practices where all GP partners are MDDUS members; otherwise £50 per regulated team member. Non-regulated staff (HCAs, phlebotomists, etc) are covered free. More details on this new product and how to apply are available


Practice Manager is published by The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland, Registered in Scotland No 5093 at Mackintosh House, 120 Blythswood Street, Glasgow G2 4EA. 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 Practice Manager are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland.


at www.mddus.com/join/primary-care-team-protection--- england-wales


AUTUMN 2019  ISSUE 21


OR TRAINING EVENT THE MDDUS Training & CPD team hold events in our Glasgow and London offices on a range of key topics. We also often work with partner organisations such as the Royal College of GPs and the law firm Capsticks to deliver relevant workshops across other areas of the UK. You may not realise that we can often bring training workshops to your local area on request. Members can submit requests to host a training event on a topic of


your choice – from confidentiality and complaints handling to risks in general medical/dental or hospital practice. Local training courses can be delivered for a daily fee or for a per-delegate rate based on your preferences and available local arrangements. We also consider all requests for MDDUS speakers as part of a local,


regional or national conference or training event. Email risk@mddus.com to find out more.


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