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I have a question to ask about podiatry ethics and would like to hear peoples opinion of this situation.
I work in an NHS clinic in my home town and have no less than 5 of my patients living in my street. They don't bother me other than to say hello but one in particular has become very demanding and comes over at all hours of the day or night asking for advice, she has "high risk" feet and numerous medical and mental health problems.
I began to feel that I was on call 24 hours a day and quite honestly I don't want to deal with peoples problems when I am not at work, I work full time.
Today I told her in no uncertain terms that this is my private home NOT an extension of the NHS clinic and that I would not be giving her any advice or treatment outside of working hours and through the proper channels. That she must call the out of hours doctors if she needs assistance or get her husband to take her to A@E or the local (very good) minor injuries unit.
This did not go down well and I was accused of being cold and hard hearted.
I am not insured to treat patients in my own time - I am only insured for my actual clinical working hours and I could be liable if I made any mistakes, I could also be reported to the HPC if anything went wrong.
Do you think I am right to refuse to treat her even if it is an emergency?
I'm not sure where the law stands on this. At any rate I have refused to treat her.

 

You are largely correct. I suggest that you tell her that the NHS indemnity insurance does not cover you for working outside your normal clinics, however much you might wish to do so. You'll get little enough from your employers, so put the blame on them.

As far as refusing to provide emergency treatment is concerned, you're on a sticky wicket. Your 'normal' insurance should cover you, and you have no moral right to refuse to provide what true emergency treatment you are trained to - for instance in the case of accident.

Hope this helps

Bill Liggins

 

I would tell your line manager about the situation, both verbally and in writing. That way there is a formal record, and in the event of anything going to the HCPC, you will be covered.

Write down as far as you can, dates and times of everything.

 

In addition to what the others have said it would be reasonable to ask your manager to allocate these patients to another practitioner. I lived and worked in Buxton at one time, which did present similar problems. Possibly let the pts GP know the situation and of course document this.
Regards
Ros