Citation
Morris, B. (2001), "Medical Union advice about locum checks", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 14 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2001.06214aab.015
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Medical Union advice about locum checks
Medical Union advice about locum checks
Following the striking-off of locum anaesthetist John Evans-Appiah in October 2000 the Medical Defence Union (MDU) has advised its members to verify a locum's general practice qualifications, references and GMC registration before taking them on.
The General Medical Council (GMC) found locum Dr John Evans-Appiah guilty of serious misconduct, after an incident two years ago in which a boy he anaesthetised for a routine dental operation died from a heart attack. The hearing heard that Dr Evans-Appiah then attempted to falsify his records and, three weeks after the death of the child, he failed to properly anaesthetise a woman about to undergo a Caesarean section. It was also disclosed that he had held a total of 42 positions during a 23-year period.
Dr Stephen Green, head of risk management at the MDU, commented,
Although a locum is liable for his own acts or omissions in the event of a civil claim, the practice will have to deal with any complaint about the quality of care provided by the locum. It is up to the practice to ensure that the person they employ is competent to do the job, has the right qualifications and is suitably experienced. Practices can make a number of simple checks to check these details. These will at least help to avoid some of the more obvious problems of taking on a locum.
The MDU also suggested that locums should be provided with an information pack to ensure they are fully prepared in any situation. This should include contact numbers for practice staff, local hospitals, the ambulance service, social services, a local map and a layout of the surgery with the location of vital equipment and drugs, details of the computer system and practice policies.
Readers may remember similar views being expressed in the Audit Commission report, The Use of Locum Doctors in NHS Trusts (National Report), April 1999, reported in this journal last year.