Maintain pressure on reforms to protect NHSUnion issues advice over gifts
General practices should keep a register of gifts received from patients and ensure that they do not influence the care provided, according to the Medical Defence Union (MDU).
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The group said that it had been contacted by some members over the festive period about how to deal with problems that could arise from accepting a gift. The MDU advises that keeping a register of gifts can provide transparency, while members should all follow the golden rule of not letting gifts influence a patient’s care.
In the past, one MDU member received a Christmas card from a patient, only to find a cheque for £1,000 addressed to him personally inside the envelope, while a GP was given part of an elderly patient’s silver collection but received complaints from disgruntled family members. One nurse even received green lingerie in a beribboned box.
MDU medico-legal adviser Dr Brigid Simpson said: “We have issued specific advice for practice managers because they may be tasked with drawing up a practice policy on gifts or asked to keep a register, which is a contractual requirement for GPs, so it is important they are up to date on the latest guidance.
“The General Medical Council and Nursing and Midwifery Council advise doctors and nurses that they must not accept gifts which may affect or be seen to affect their judgement.”
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Readers' comments (3)
keri-anne williams | 11-Jan-2010 2:55 pm
I agree this could be seen to favouritise some patients particularly if there is ongoing care but surely this is not always the case and I think some common sense needs to be put in place too. If for instance someone gives a box of chocolates or some flowers as a token gesture it should be seen as that especially if it is given on discharge when the care had been given. It is a lovely thought when patients say thankyou and appreciate good standards of care and that is how it should be seen.
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marilyn edwards | 11-Jan-2010 6:44 pm
in practice, if a patient gave 1 member of staff some chocs these were put for general consumption - mainly cos everyone's always on a diet!
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Anonymous | 30-Jul-2010 8:32 pm
Just out of curiosity we keep hearing the phrase preferential treatment, but I didnt realise I had that much power as a RN. MMMhh well Mr Smith you give me a box of quality street and i'll bump you up the list for your hip replacement, or awww flowers Mrs Jones ok i'll give you a hot lunch rather than a cold one...ahhhh power. So please the blue rinse brigage of the NMC please go get a life and stop trying to justify your ridiculous annual fee by making stupid juvanile rules.
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