Go easy on doctors, says defence body

By a staff reporter

The burden of medico-legal investigations on doctors needs to be minimised as complaints processes and other probes resume, the Medical Defence Union (MDU) has warned. 

GMC investigations, NHS complaints procedures and Ombuds­men’s complaints processes resumed last month, having been on hold during the pandemic. 

The Medical Practitioners Trib­unal Service (MPTS) also opened its doors for fitness-to-practise tribunals at the start of August. 

Dr Caroline Fryar

Dr Caroline Fryar, head of MDU advisory services, said with the easing of lockdown, more services were resuming and complaints and referrals to regulators could return to pre-pandemic levels.