Even at this early stage of winter, NHS England is facing unprecedented demand.
The health secretary, Wes Streeting has recognised the scale of the crisis and instructed trusts to prioritise patient safety over the coming months.
Dr Myooran Nathan, Senior Medico-Legal Adviser at the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) said: “The Health Secretary is correct to emphasise patient safety above all.
“If patient safety is secondary to meeting targets on waiting times, then doctors are more at risk of complaints or a regulatory investigation.
“When it comes to winter pressures, often the focus in on A&E, where the impact can be clearly seen – ambulances waiting outside and patients treated in corridors. But winter pressures affect the entire health service.
“In general practice, the decision to refer to A&E means balancing questions of best practice, the care of the patient and hospital capacity. This is when GPs are already under significant workload pressure.
“We are reassured to hear Wes Streeting understands that patient safety is the priority for every clinical decision and look to him to keep this at the forefront of policy in 2025.”
ENDS
The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) is a mutual organisation that protects the professional interests of more than 65,000 doctors and dentists across the United Kingdom, offering access to indemnity, support and legal advice.
For further information please contact Mareth Burns, junior communications officer, on mburns1@mddus.com.
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.