4. Treatment in emergencies
 

In an emergency, you must offer anyone at risk the treatment you could
reasonably be expected to provide
GMC Good Medical Practice, paragraph 4

Medical emergencies – such as cardiac chest pain, acute dyspnoea, and
severe trauma – are uncommon in general practice. However, when they
occur they require high levels of technical skill. It is your responsibility to
ensure that both you and your team are confident and competent to provide
medical care for the emergencies that are likely to arise in your area. This is
particularly important if you do not have easy access to an accident and
emergency department.
You need to be able to respond rapidly to a medical emergency if you are on
call. You should also have available, and be able to use, the necessary
equipment and drugs to enable you to respond appropriately to medical
emergencies. You should arrange appropriate short- and long-term follow up
for patients who have required emergency care, including referral to other
health professionals when necessary. You should consider the needs of the
family and friends of patients who have required emergency care.
If you are present when a person needs emergency care – for example, if a
person collapses or is injured in a public place – you should provide any

The excellent GP
- responds rapidly to emergencies
- has policies that all team members are familiar with for the organisation and management of medical emergencies
- arranges appropriate training for practice staff in managing emergencies
- has up-to-date emergency equipment and drugs and ensures that they are available for any doctor, e.g. a locum, working in the practice
- works effectively with the emergency services
- gives consideration to the broader implications of a medical emergency for the patient's family and friends
- reviews the care of emergency cases as part of clinical meetings, using techniques such as significant event auditing

The unacceptable GP
- cannot be contacted in an emergency or does not respond quickly
- provides ineffective or erratic care in emergencies
- provides no support to practice staff in managing emergencies
- has insufficient emergency drugs or equipment, or has drugs which are out of date, and does not maintain his or her resuscitation skills
- does not appropriately follow up patients who have experienced a medical emergency