Medical Protection Society

2nd Floor, 33 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0PS, United Kingdom

Website: www.mps.org.uk

Professional support and expert advice

From:   Dr M F Davies                          
Secretary:      Leah Clark                                     
Direct dial:    +44 (0) 20 7399 1386                                       
Facsimile:      +44 (0) 20 7399 1301                                                   

Dear Dr Nichols

Re:  Locum group mailing list                  

Thank you for your email of 9 September 2008.  I understand that you have set up a communal mailing list of GPs with the intention of enabling local practices to publish their sessional requirements to the group who will then be able to contact practices directly to arrange a booking.

You have asked whether you have any legal responsibility for checking a doctor’s legitimacy when they register with the group.  I would suggest that the responsibility for checking that a doctor is able to practise and has the necessary credentials and qualifications falls to the practice taking on their services, and it would be reasonable to include a reminder to this effect in the information you provide to practices.  However, it would seem a simple and effective screening measure for you to simply ask doctors registering with your site to provide their GMC number, and I cannot see how you would be held responsible for this if there did prove to be difficulties with their registration. 

I hope this is helpful and would of course be very happy to discuss this further with you on the telephone if you have any concerns or queries.  Please be assured of the interest of MPS in your professional welfare and please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.

Kind regards.  

Yours sincerely

Dr Marika Davies BSc MBBS MRCS MA

Medicolegal Adviser
Medical Protection Society
33 Cavendish Square | London | W1G 0PS
Telephone:  +44 (0) 20 7399 1386
Fax:  +44 (0) 20 7399 1301

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