Locum GP’s at Work – Minimising Risk & Being Safe

Locum GP’s are constantly working in unfamiliar surroundings due to being a locum, this is why AppLocum have written this article to help minimise the increased risk that locum GP’s are exposed to. This is to ensure the safety of GP’s and the to ensure patient safety is not compromised.

We all know that the role of a locum GP can be busy, challenging but also highly rewarding. You have the most say and autonomy over your work, combined with the various and countless environments you work in; have the best opportunity to develop and grow your skill sets.

On the other hand, working in countless and various environments means that there is an increased risk of locum GP’s.

We plan to help mitigate these risks by giving you these extra steps to take ensure that both locums and patients are safe.

Working within your limits

It’s fair to say that most locum GPs would have worked in posts that were quite different from the way that they had been described.

It may be that the systems in use are antiquated, or the support staff are lacking. Therefore, locum GPs are reminded to work within their own competence and should not feel pressured into taking on an unmanageable volume of work or tasks they feel are beyond their expertise and may affect patient safety.

Repeat prescriptions are very important when it comes to this and there should be extra care taken. It is not uncommon for a locum GP’s to find a large pile of repeat prescriptions to sign at the end of a session. However, we would like to remind all doctors of the GMC’s guidance on safe prescribing, which highlights that each doctor is individually responsible for every prescription they issue.

Locum GPs should therefore, ensure they have sufficient knowledge regarding a patient’s medical history before signing any prescription, irrespective of whether it is a new or repeat medication.

Accurate patient records

Locums are generally more aware of the need to maintain detailed patient records, especially as they may only see a patient on one occasion. Good notes are essential to ensure an appropriate handover of patients and to minimise the risks of adverse events.

Not only does a good medical entry benefit the patient, it can also provide GPs with a robust foundation in defending themselves against any subsequent complaint or claim.

Record keeping should always be comprehensive and contemporaneous. It is essential that all relevant information is recorded in the medical records as this may be the only source of information for the next doctor involved in the patient’s care.

Be sure to include details of any follow-up actions such as further investigations or treatment that may be required. MDDUS has encountered cases where patients have presented to locum doctors with new symptoms or clinical signs which have not been effectively documented or handed over. As a consequence, there has often been a considerable delay in the investigation or treatment of serious medical conditions.

In order to minimise these risks, locum GPs are always recommended to double check any relevant medical information with their patients and document these discussions within their medical entry.

Safe patient handover

Poor communication during handovers is a common factor in clinical negligence and regulatory actions encountered at MDDUS. Crucial information can be missed in a busy setting and mistakes can happen in any situation that involves a handover.

This can lead to delayed and incorrect diagnoses, repeated investigations and incorrect treatment. The risks may be all the more apparent to locum GPs who often find themselves on the receiving end of limited handovers.

The very nature of their role means that locums often find they have only a brief involvement in a patient’s overall medical care. It is therefore imperative that they communicate their management and thought-process effectively to permanent medical staff.

An effective and accurate handover protects the patient, ensures continuity of care and allows GPs to prioritise workload according to clinical need. Time should be taken with handovers and patients expect doctors to share relevant information effectively so that their care is properly coordinated and managed.

Ensure you have appropriate indemnity

Locum GPs should also make sure their medical defense organisation is aware of the amount of locum work that they do, and the type of work this involves, to ensure that they have the adequate level of indemnity in place. Even when you try to minimise risks, things still go wrong, so it is important to make sure that you are covered.

We hope this guide has helped and eased some of the risks that is imposed upon locums everywhere. If you have any suggestions or comments please feel free to leave them in our comments section.

If you wish to send a private query, please email hello@applocum.com