
Conflicts Of Interest
When making referrals or co-ordinating a management plan a doctor must ensure he/she acts in the best interests of the patient. Their decision should not be influenced by inducement, gift or hospitality from the patient or any outside agency - this includes drug companies and medical equipment suppliers
A doctor must declare any interest, financial or commercial, in an organisation to the patient and healthcare purchaser (the GP) if they intend to utilise said outside agency 5.
References
- GMC: Duties of a Doctor
- GMC: Valuing Diversity - Guidance for Doctors
- GMC: Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice (March 2008)
- Janaway v Salford Health Authority All England Law Rep 1988 Dec 1;[1988] 3:1079-84
- GMC: Conflicts of Interest (September 2008)
- Medical Act (1983)
- Public Interest Disclosure Act (1998)
- Health Service Circular (1999/198)
- GMC: Maintaining Boundaries - Guidance for Doctors (November 2006)
- GMC: Raising Concerns about Patient Safety - Guidance for Doctors (November 2006)
- Kerr/Haslam Inquiry (2005)