>In a message dated 12/3/98 11:35:05 GMT, Paul Attwood wrote:
>
><<
> A cardiac arrest is by definition an emergency and we are not and have
> never been an emergency service.
and one reply:
> I understand that an absolute refusal may perhaps bring your ToS around
your
> neck. >>
Then Jenny waded in ;-) :
>I know I'm being pedantic but I think there is confusion about a fact,
whether
>you would be in breach of your T.O.S and a judgement whether you would do
any
>good anyway at the arrest. The two need to be separated and the question
>answered with reference to our T.O.S. Unless there is a more appropriate
>course of action agreed, you have to attend otherwise you would most likely
be
>in breach of your T.O.S.
No such confusion. The deliberation of value or otherwise in attending is
not involved with ToS. I don't have these to hand to quote verbatim but if I
recall a valid request made to attend provided it is within your practice
area (and sometimes without) must be followed by the doctor putting himself
into a position to assess said patient and then sorting out
referral/disposal./treatment.
i.e. Telling Ambulance control in cases of Cardiac arrests to take person to
AEU. Assessment Cardiac Arrest, referral onwards, ToS complied with.
In the event the ambulance control is not happy to accept this assessment
for whatever reason you may then refuse and get the hassle of a complaint
but hopefully no further action.
If you say, however, you will attend but because you have umpteen sick
people to see it will take 45mins. They might get the message.
Paul Attwood
GP Ramsgate
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