Guides

coroner
Deaths, inquests and the coroner: an introduction for doctors in the Republic of Ireland

8 March 2021

An overview of the coroner's role in the Republic of Ireland, plus notifying and reporting deaths.

Two people writing and reading documents
Disclosure without consent

26 February 2021

There are circumstances in which you may disclose confidential information without patient consent.

Doctor standing in corridor
Fitness to practise (FTP) procedures

23 February 2021

If your fitness to practise is ever investigated by the GMC, understanding what to expect can make all the difference. Our detailed guide to the process tells you what you need to know.

Hands typing report on keyboard
Complaints: the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

3 February 2021

If someone isn't satisfied with the response to their complaint after the first stage of the NHS complaints procedure, they can refer their complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) for investigation.

young doctor compiling a report
Incident reporting

29 January 2021

Since April 2010, NHS trusts have had a statutory duty to report all serious incidents (SIs) so that lessons can be learned across the health service.

Walking in woods
Be alert to Lyme disease in patients

26 January 2021

Watch out for the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease.

Tube feeding
Withdrawing clinically assisted nutrition and hydration (CANH)

19 January 2021

Guidance on making the difficult and emotive decision to withdraw life sustaining treatment from patients in a vegetative or minimally conscious state.

Heart failure
Avoiding diagnostic delays in heart failure

19 January 2021

Delays in diagnosis can be due to the vague and non-specific signs and symptoms that patients may present with to their GP.

Doctor
Guidance and advice for occupational health doctors

13 January 2021

Protocols on disclosing medical reports, clearly communicated to both patients and employers, can help manage patients' expectations.

Skeleton
Storing and disposing of human skeletons and material

7 January 2021

How to appropriately dispose of real human skeletons.