News in brief

Violence increasing in Northern Ireland

Violence and abuse against doctors is on the rise, according to a survey published by the BMA in Northern Ireland. It wants a warning marker to be placed on violent patients’ record cards. Half of the doctors surveyed had been verbally abused, threatened, or assaulted in the past year but continued to treat the patients in question. “The abuse is often random, with no particular motivation behind the physical violence,” said Paul Darragh, chairman of the BMA’s Council in Northern Ireland, who has himself been assaulted in the past.

Training survey deadline extended

The General Medical Council is allowing more time for trainers and trainees to complete its annual survey of the training experience. It particularly wants to hear from trainers who, it says, have a critical role in ensuring the best training for foundation programme and specialty trainees, including general practitioner trainees. Both the trainers’ and trainees’ surveys will now close on 30 June 2010, although for Northern Ireland the deadline was 31 May.

• See: http://www.gmc-uk.org/education/postgraduate/surveys.asp

Doctors seek advice on end of life decisions

Queries relating to advance decisions, “do not resuscitate” decisions, and lasting powers of attorney are the most common reasons for doctors to seek advice from the Medical Defence Union, the union’s figures show. Although most doctors approach end of life decisions with great sensitivity, they need support to resolve any concerns the patient’s family might have and any issues about the patient’s care, said a spokesperson.