MDU issues warning on practice website info

GP practices offering health information on their websites must make it clear that the information is intended solely for patients of the practice and is not a substitute for personal advice from a GP, according to a medical defence body.

The Medical Defence Union is advising practices to insert a statement on their websites emphasising that any advice is for registered patients only and that it should not be used a substitute for seeking advice from a GP.

Dr Nicholas Norwell, MDU medico-legal adviser, said practices needed to be aware of the medico-legal pitfalls of running a website.

He added: “While there are some obvious benefits to having a well-organised, up-to-date website, for example in reducing ‘did not attend’ rates by allowing patients to book appointments online, there are some potential drawbacks from a medico-legal point of view.”

The MDU says that practices also need to ensure that information on any website is regularly updated and that patients are warned that electronic transmission of data via the website may not be totally secure.

Other practice website advice offered by the MDU includes:

• Practices using images of patients on their website, need to ensure they have patients’ consent and do not breach their confidentiality.
• GPs should avoid prescribing or treating patients emailing via the website from overseas because the patient cannot be examined or followed up immediately and the GP may need to be registered to practise in that country.
• If the practice website offers email consultations, it is important that patients are made aware in advance that, since they allow no opportunity for a physical examination, there will be circumstances in which it may still be clinically necessary to attend the surgery.
• Practices should aim to design their website to be accessible to all patients, so as not to contravene the Disability Discrimination Act 1999.