DVLA updates
In the autumn '17 issue of the MDU journal, we spoke to the DVLA's Dr Wyn Parry about the organisation's guidance on assessing and reporting patients' fitness to drive.
The DVLA has since updated this guidance, and you can read the latest version on its website. The guidance is largely seen as being most relevant for GPS, but it's likely that other specialties will benefit from being aware of any changes.
The DVLA also sends out email notifications when updates are made, which usually happens every six months. Follow this link to sign up to the mailing list and stay informed of any changes.
Dr Christine Tomkins on BBC Radio 4
MDU chief executive Dr Christine Tomkins recently appeared on BBC Radio 4's Unreliable Evidence, as part of a panel of experts discussing the question, 'Are lawyers bankrupting the NHS?' - is a growing compensation culture threatening to bankrupt the NHS, and what can be done about it?
Listen again online via the BBC iPlayer to hear Dr Tomkins argue why urgent legal reform is needed in order to compensate patients fairly but stem the flow of money out of the NHS.
Click here to learn more about the MDU's fair compensation campaign.
Interim guidance on GDPR
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was introduced into UK law on 25 May 2018, and tightens up existing protections for data subjects, including patients, as well as placing extra obligations on practices to show they comply with the legal requirements.
At the time of publication the GDPR has only recently been enshrined in UK law, but practices and data controllers should have been preparing for it nevertheless. The currently available guidance will likely be updated as the regulation beds in, but this guidance should help doctors prepare and understand their obligations.
Our interim guidance on GDPR also contains useful links to the Information Governance Alliance, the Information Commissioner Office and NHS Digital, and primary care doctors will be interested in our advice on five things GPs need to do.