We are writing to you as colleagues and fellow MPS members to thank you for the work you are doing now and in the months ahead to tackle COVID-19, and also to tell you about the actions MPS is taking to support you during this time.

We are keen to support members with private practice who have seen a significant drop in their work and a dramatic fall in income. We are currently investigating ways to provide increased flexibility to make subscriptions more affordable for members during this challenging time. Once we have agreed the details, we will actively communicate and share our plans directly with members.

These coronavirus Q&As are reflective of the advice we are sharing with members around the world.

This article outlines our advice and guidance regarding the safety and suitability of remote consulting – also known as telemedicine.

Mounting pressures on NHS services have made digital solutions inevitable, and NHS England expects all primary care patients to have the right to online consultations by April 2020 – but with new technology comes new risks. Dr Heidi Mounsey, medicolegal consultant at Medical Protection, advises on best practice

Statemente from Medical Protection regarding our preparedness for Brexit.

Denise Thomas, case manager at Medical Protection, shares a recent case relating to a disclosure to the DVLA without patient consent.

An obvious question to ask when people are unintentionally but avoidably harmed is: “why did things go wrong?” Professor Paul Bowie, Programme Director (Safety & Improvement) at NHS Education for Scotland, looks at how we can think differently about patient safety.

The focus on patient safety in healthcare is at the forefront of ensuring the provision of high quality healthcare.1 Diane Baylis, clinical risk educator at Medical Protection, tells us more about the concept of ‘never events’ and how they can improve patient safety.

Most practices will engage locum GPs at some point. In this article, Dr Mahibur Rahman, a portfolio GP and the medical director of Emedica, looks at some top tips for practices to consider from the perspective of a locum GP.

To ensure staffing needs are met, whether because of unexpected shortages or due to planned cover, the use of locums is commonplace in many general practices. Our employment law partner, Croner, looks at steps you can take to ensure a positive locum experience.