Dr Heidi Mounsey is a medicolegal consultant and assists members in relation to many of the matters outlined in this booklet. She is a former anaesthetic registrar and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. She joined Medical Protection in 2016.
Clinical negligence claims arising from oncology are rare, but medicolegal cases such as inquests, complaints, and regulatory matters are not uncommon.
The majority of claims reported to us are from private practice, whereas other case types can arise from the NHS and private settings.
COVID-19 meant there was a significant change to the way in which many doctors worked, including disruption to clinics, procedures, and a move to remote consultations. We also saw a large number of individuals contacting our medicolegal helpline for advice and support.
Issues arising as a consequence of COVID-19 included the prioritising of scarce resources, concerns over staffing levels and provision of PPE, COVID-19 vaccinations (including in relation to doctors who did not wish to be vaccinated and also those who had fraudulently obtained vaccinations for themselves or their family ahead of schedule), management of patients who refused to wear a mask, and worries about personal risk of exposure.
Medicolegal cases where COVID-19 is cited as a factor are ongoing, and it is likely the impact will continue to be felt for some time.
We understand that you work in complex and often pressured environments. We also know, following feedback from members, that experiencing a medicolegal case can be incredibly stressful. At Medical Protection we want to share our knowledge, experience, and expertise with you, so we can provide invaluable professional support.
For more information about Medical Protection click here.