PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT AND EXPERT ADVICE

NZRGPN Conference: Family Issues in a Rural Setting

NZRGPN Conference: Family Issues in a Rural Setting

Dr Aine McCoyMB BCh BAO DRCOG MRCGP FRNZCGP

Mr Adam Lewis LLB Barrister - Harbour Chambers

Dr Aine McCoyMB BCh BAO DRCOG MRCGP FRNZCGP

Mr Adam Lewis LLB Barrister - Harbour Chambers

■ Unwelcome Patients

■ Confidentiality Matters

■ Competence

■ Patient records- how secure are they?

Unwelcome Patients

■ Unwelcome patients:

■ Mother + 3 children

■ Known unrealistic expectations.

■ Nearest practice is 20kms away

OR:

■ Mother unhappy with your care of her children

■ Has made 3 complaints in the past year

Confidentiality Matters

■ Receptionist longtime employee- no access to clinical information

■ Her daughter ‘s new partner – patient of the practice

■ Mother warns her daughter about him

■ Patient confronts you.

Q. How to manage 1. the patient. 2. your receptionist?

Competence

■ Frail elderly woman

■ Lives with daughter who has her own mental health issues and an alcohol problem

■ Requests a certificate from you to enable her to appoint this daughter as her EPOA

■ How to proceed?

Patient records- how secure are they?

■ Who has access to patient notes:

■ Next of kin?

■ Children of elderly parents?

■ 12 year old girl wanting contraception who insists that her parents not be informed?

■ CYPS wanting information about a 7 year old child and her mother who has mental health issues