PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release: Friday, 30 September 2011
The UK-wide medical defence organisation MDDUS has issued a comment on the new Royal College of Surgeons and Department of Health report indicating that the peri-operative care of patients undergoing emergency non-cardiac general surgery is “frequently disjointed, protracted and not always patient centred”.
Dr John Holden, senior medico-legal adviser at MDDUS, says: “All doctors have a fundamental and overriding ethical duty to make the care of patients their first concern. In achieving this aim all doctors must recognise and work within their limits of competence and seek more senior help and advice where necessary.”
Dr Holden adds: “Doctors who delegate care or treatment must be satisfied that the other clinician has the qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills to provide the care or treatment involved. The report reflects this ethical duty and additionally states that delegated staff should have sufficient manpower and be adequately free of competing responsibilities.
“Risk to patients may be reduced by doctors handing over to colleagues according to a clear and effective procedure, before going off duty.”
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For further information contact Joanne Curran on 0845 270 2034, or email jcurran@mddus.com
Note to editors
MDDUS (The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland) is a medical and dental defence organisation providing access to professional indemnity and expert medico- and dento-legal advice for doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals throughout the UK.
This page was correct at the time of publication. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.