MDU

24/11/2025

Patients harmed due to clinical negligence must receive appropriate compensation, but an outdated system means that millions of pounds are being unnecessarily diverted away from the NHS.

We wrote an open letter to Rachel Reeves ahead of the Budget:

Legal fees in smaller cases are four times higher on average than claimants receive in compensation, figures reveal

21/11/2025

Yesterday Department of Health and Social Care - DHSC and NHS resolution gave evidence to the Public Accounts Committee inquiry on the rising costs of clinical negligence.

Responding to the evidence session Director of Policy and Communications Tom Reynolds said:

“The MDU has been sounding the alarm bell on the cost of clinical negligence for years, particularly around rising legal costs. Today MPs repeatedly sought answers from the Government on what they plan to do about it, repeatedly being told by officials that a review into the issue by David Lock KC has concluded and its findings are now with Ministers.

"We urge the Government to make these findings public. Given the eyewatering sums of money involved in clinical negligence, the case for reform is urgent – and MPs, healthcare professionals, patients, and taxpayers as a whole deserve transparency on what is being proposed. This review and its recommendations must be published in full.”

Watch the full session here: https://ow.ly/99cT50XvCLI

12/11/2025

I think my colleague is struggling, what can I do?

“If you feel you can, tell your colleague you’re concerned about them and give them an opportunity to talk.

It’s important to encourage them to seek appropriate help, whether this is from friends, family, their own GP, or other sources of support, depending on what the root cause of the problem is."

Medico-legal adviser Dr Kathryn Leask gives some advice in The BMJ: https://ow.ly/fCVM50X4bJl

05/11/2025

"When faced with confused or incomprehensible speech, it is easy to assume that a person with dementia has lost all interactional competence. We found that this was not the case."

Prof. Rowan Harwood explains how cognitive impairments make communication more complex, and shares his insights on how to talk to patients with dementia: https://ow.ly/oGzO50WUmNH

29/10/2025

Organising a student event and need sponsorship? Your MDU liaison manager can help 🙌

Tell us about your event and request sponsorship here: https://www.themdu.com/for-students/request-sponsorship

23/10/2025

Today we're celebrating 140 years of the MDU.

In that time, we've gone from helping a small group of doctors to counting almost a quarter of a million healthcare professionals as our members.

Healthcare has changed beyond recognition since 1885, but what hasn't changed is our commitment to our members.

Through changing times, pressures, and expectations – we are by your side.

22/10/2025

Medico-legal adviser Dr Sally Old explains GPs’ legal and ethical obligations when they suspect a child is at risk of abuse or neglect.

Read in GPonline.com:

The MDU’s Dr Sally Old explains GPs’ legal and ethical obligations when they suspect a child is at risk of abuse or neglect.

14/10/2025

The Government spends £3.1 billion a year on clinical negligence. That's more than the winter fuel allowance or Government farming subsidies.

This is not due to a decline in patient safety, but an increase in legal costs.

Read what we think needs to change:

As party conference season concludes and MPs and peers return to Westminster, attention will turn to the next major date in the political calendar: 26 November – budget day. In the midst of what will no doubt be ever-increasing levels of speculation about what actions could be taken, two realities...

09/10/2025

Our policy team has been across the country for party conference season, championing the interests of our members.

Read more about the three key policy areas that we feel are overlooked: https://ow.ly/zfQW50X8lye

29/09/2025

Join us for a free webinar on trans healthcare, where we will cover the common medico-legal questions we're asked about this topic.

Register here: https://ow.ly/fqNQ50WTQVP

24/09/2025

When should you suspect sepsis?

We examined members' cases to better understand how to minimise risks: https://ow.ly/Ozex50WI5gV