Case studies

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Remote prescribing

2 July 2021

An endocrinologist contacted the MDU because he was worried about the implications of remote prescribing following a patient moving to another town for work.

Speaking up
Time to speak up

2 July 2021

An FY2 doctor had started working on an elderly care ward which was understaffed and she was worried about the conditions.

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Delayed diagnosis of bowel cancer

2 July 2021

A GP called the MDU after receiving an angry letter of complaint from a patient, blaming her for delayed referral and ‘allowing’ her cancer to develop.

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Talking risks

2 July 2021

When a patient with Dupuytren’s contracture attended hospital for a fasciectomy, a nurse asked a foundation doctor to obtain their signature on the consent form because the patient had missed their appointment at the consent clinic, and the surgeon had been called to an emergency.

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A request from the magistrate's court

2 July 2021

A member enquiry on whether or not to disclose information relating to a patient’s mental health history whilst they were on remand in custody, awaiting trial.

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Inadequate records

2 July 2021

A hospital consultant contacted the MDU as a transition to a paperless medical record system meant she had to treat patients without sufficient information.

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Parental responsibility and disclosure to a solicitor

2 July 2021

A practice manager called the advice line following a request from a solicitor acting for the mother of three children, seeking disclosure of the children’s records.

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Refusal to prescribe off-label

2 July 2021

A GP contacted the MDU after a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) had requested a prescription for thyroxine, following the advice of another specialist.

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An altered fit note

2 July 2021

A practice manager called the MDU after being contacted by a local employer, asking whether a fit note issued by the practice was genuine.

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Speaking to a spouse

2 July 2021

A patient’s wife contacted one of our GP members as she had concerns about her husband’s mental health. The GP wondered if this would be a breach of confidentiality.