Free GP helpline ready for launch

A telephone line offering GPs free advice on HR and employment law is to be launched by the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) on June 1.

The service offers unlimited guidance to doctors trying to negotiate their way through the legal minefields of staff conduct, disciplinary procedures, maternity and discrimination, contracts, sickness and complaints procedures.

While intended primarily as a 9-5 operation, the line will be available on a 24-hour basis.

The MDDUS said an increasing number of practice members with employment responsibilities had made the scheme necessary.

“I think this will prove to be an invaluable service and give members the peace of mind to know they are following procedures correctly – freeing up time to concentrate on the clinical aspects of their role,” Liz Price, employment law services manager at MDDUS, added.