Can I provide care to patients outside of work?

Help in an emergency

Sissy Frank, medicolegal adviser at the Medical Defence Union, says, “Doctors often come forward to help in off duty emergencies. While there isn’t a legal obligation to do so, the GMC states that ‘you must offer help if emergencies arise in clinical settings or in the community.’1 Before giving medical support, doctors must take into account their own safety, their competence, and the availability of other options, for example if there are more qualified people are on the scene.

“Where possible, a doctor helping in an emergency should also make a detailed record of the incident and their involvement, get consent from the patient, and explain their actions and treatment to the patient. The doctor should also, if possible, have a witness present—with the patient’s …