Various staff held strong views about the patient’s management, and long standing ‘issues’ between staff added to the dispute. What ensued at the hospital was a very acrimonious dispute, with some aspects even receiving media attention. Had the doctor not been insured with MIGA, they would have had to fund their own legal expenses of at least $2,500.Ĭase Study 3 - A trio of medico-legal mattersĪ hospital doctor became caught up in a coronial investigation, employment dispute (termination of contract) and Medical Board investigation following the death of a patient in ICU. The investigation made no adverse findings against the registrar, with only the obstetrician disciplined for their actions. This experience is unfamiliar for most doctors and can be extremely stressful without the help and guidance of an experienced legal team. MIGA and its panel solicitors assisted the registrar in responding to the issues for investigation, and were there to support the registrar throughout the interview process. The events surrounding the delivery were subsequently investigated by the hospital, with criticisms of the registrar posed by the obstetrician. Despite the best efforts of the registrar, he was unable to convince the obstetrician to come into the hospital to assist with the difficult instrumental delivery. Although expected to be routine, the delivery quickly went downhill and the registrar contacted his supervising obstetrician. The timely advice received from MIGA enabled the doctor to treat the patient appropriately without the fear of being drawn into a claim or incurring legal expenses in the future.Ĭase Study 2 - Registrar vs Senior ObstetricianĪ registrar in a public hospital was responsible for the delivery of a term baby. The doctor was instead advised to consider a psychiatric review of the patient, along with any other necessary clinical inputs, to determine whether the patient could be released from the ED department once the presenting condition had stabilised. He contacted MIGA’s 24/7 emergency advice line in the early hours of the morning and was told there was no obligation to contact the police about the patient’s presentation. He was informed that the patient was in breach of parole conditions and may also be at risk of harm to himself and others.ĭistressed by his conversation with the GP, the doctor was unsure whether he needed to report the patient to the police.
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Unsure of how to proceed, the doctor rang the patient’s usual GP. A patient on the methadone program presented unwell after experiencing a reaction to administered drugs. The doctor was working in the emergency department of a public hospital.