Draft: Staff and Family Enrolment

Minor edits have been made to this policy.

Policy

Refer to MCNZ: Treating yourself and those close to you for guidance.

The Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) recommends that where possible, clinicians should not diagnose or provide treatment to themselves,, or anyone they have a close relationship two that could be expected to affect their clinical objectivity and professional judgment. This may include whānau members, friends, or colleagues.This is due to the risks of unsafe care and/or conflict of interest.

Q38

We allow staff members or their families to enrol and be treated by clinicians at our practice. Medical practitioners (nurses and clinicians) will not diagnose or provide treatment to family members or themselves at Taupō Medical Centre and will instead refer them to another available clinician.

In urgent situations where there is no reasonable alternative, clinicians may provide medical care to staff or family members. This care is focused on immediate reduction of harm, with follow-up care done by the person's usual clinician.

Staff or immediate family will not be charged for standard consultations or prescriptions but other procedures will be charged at standard rates.

Clinicians should avoid engaging in "corridor consultations" or providing informal opinions, which may compromise continuity of care.

If there is no practical alternative to treating yourself or someone close to you

We mitigate the risks in situations where care is provided to staff or family members:

• To maintain confidentiality, only staff with a genuine purpose may access the patient's medical record or results.
• Clinicians must provide care as they would with any other patient – take a full history if possible and carry out an appropriate examination.
• Record all details in the PMS.
• Seek advice from peers if there is a risk of compromised judgement.
• Prescribing is subject to normal clinical, ethical, and legal responsibilities.