In message <[log in to unmask]>, Jel Coward
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>
>It is about time the complaints procedure encompassed the right of a
>doctor to complain about a patient - repeatedly we see the
>malicious/illfounded complaint which results in us keeping our heads
>down and hoping they don't want to do the full procedure with a meeting
>etc
>
snip
>
>It's time to fight back. I would love to be the first doc to sue for a
>malicious complaint.
>
My wife (a solicitor) pointed out to me that if a patient (or anyone
else) goes to my practice manager and makes unfounded allegations that I
have been "incompetent" then that is slander. I haven't sued this lady
for slander as 1) I assume that she made her initial complaint when she
was still upset and didn't know all the facts and 2) she hasn't repeated
her allegations since the facts became clear and 3) it would be a costly
and time-consuming hassle.
My initial reaction was both to explain that I was right and to ask for
some sort of apology (or at least acknowledgement that she had been
mistaken). My partners dissuaded me from that, but I'm not sure they
were right. At the very least it seems to me better to be explicit about
what has happened and either the patient can accept it and stay with all
the partners in the practice or not accept it and find a new practice. I
agree the present situation where she will not consult 2 out of 6
partners is unsatisfactory.
Cheers
Toby
--
Toby Lipman 7, Collingwood Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne. Tel
0191-2811060 (home), 0191-2437000 (surgery)
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