News - Medical Defense Society

Digital Healthcare and Remote Consultations: Balancing Accessibility with Clinical Safeguards

March 2026

Digital healthcare has transformed general practice. What began as an emergency response during the pandemic is now embedded in everyday care, accelerated by the NHS Digital First agenda and the boom in private online health services. For patients, the appeal is clear: faster access, shorter waits and greater convenience.…

Casebook Article – 27 January 2026

January 2026

Background Dr E is a GP at The Heath Centre (“the Practice”), a GP practice responsible for providing primary medical care to patients in a commuter town outside of London. The deceased, Mr Y, was an elderly patient who suffered a number of physical conditions including hypertension, type 2…

The GP’s role in weight loss management

January 2026

With over 60% of UK adults overweight or obese, many patients will begin the New Year seeking support to lose weight. GPs are therefore likely to see increased demand for this, adding to workload pressures linked to the introduction of new weight loss medication in primary care. These consultations, however,…

Medical Defense Society Casebook – Dr D Cleared of Fault: The Defence That Ended a High-Value Claim Against a GP

December 2025

Background We recently concluded the defence of a complex clinical negligence claim against Medical Defense Society member, Dr D, securing a very advantageous settlement which saw the claim against him discontinued and only pursued against an NHS Trust and another GP. Dr D is an experienced General Practitioner who was…

The lasting implications of the Montgomery ruling (2015)

December 2025

The Supreme Court’s landmark decision in the case of Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board (2015) reshaped the legal landscape of informed consent in the UK. This ruling aligned the law with the General Medical Council’s (GMC’s) guidance on Good Medical Practice, establishing that doctors must disclose all material risks relevant…

Specialist Portfolio Membership: FAQ for Portfolio GPs

November 2025

In modern general practice, the pattern of GP work is changing. More GPs are diversifying their work, pursuing rewarding portfolio careers that combine their traditional clinical role with additional professional work. If you are one of those GPs, our Specialist Portfolio Membership is built for you, offering flexible and personalised…

The role of GPs in promoting men’s health

October 2025

GPs play a vital role in supporting men’s health, uniquely positioned to promote a proactive and holistic approach to their care and to address the disparities in health outcomes that men face. Men continue to live shorter, less healthy lives than women, and they often delay or avoid seeking care, leading…

Facial aesthetics and Botox: New regulations on the horizon

October 2025

Facial aesthetic treatments, including the use of botulinum toxin (Botox), have become increasingly popular and widely accessible in recent years. Alongside rapid growth in new technologies and treatment options, the sector has expanded beyond specialist clinics. However, with minimal regulation, this expansion has brought a rise in unskilled practitioners operating…

Responding to the rise in patient complaints and violence in general practice

September 2025

In recent years, the general practice workforce has been working incredibly hard under extreme pressure to deliver care, as safely and effectively as possible, to an ever-growing patient population. Despite these efforts, GP staff have faced a sharp rise in patient complaints and violent abuse, harming their emotional and physical…

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