News

Lawyers warn website allowing patients to review GPs

15-Jul-08

Libel lawyers have written to the creator of a new website that reviews GPs, warning of impending legal action.

Any member of the public can now post and read reviews about named GPs on iwantgreatcare.org, which launched this weekend.

But Carter-Ruck Lawyers, which specialises in defamation and media law, has issued a formal notice on behalf of 37 doctors to express their concerns about the website.

The firm says it has ‘grave concerns about the potential for inaccurate, irresponsible and defamatory allegations being published on the website'.

The letter warns that the systems currently in place to monitor unsuitable posts do not stop defamatory remarks from appearing.

Over 2,500 reviews were placed on the website in its first day. Only those attracting suspicion or reported are taken down.

The formal notice will be used in court -should a libel case occur -to prove that doctors had warned the website about their concerns.

The website's founder, specialist Dr Neil Bacon said

'The systems to protect doctors are fantastic and secure. I have developed this for a year. I have spoken to doctors, legal advisors the DoH and the colleges.

'I am not at all worried - I know the system protects doctors. I'm confident the system is legally sound.

'The vast majority of comments have been positive -interestingly, the small number of spoof and malicious comments we have received have been traced back to doctors.

'The vast majority of doctors are open and embracing this. When they see how effective it is, I'm sure others will too,' he added.

Dr Bacon, who also created the forum doctors.net.uk, says allowing doctors and patients access to reviews and ratings will drive up standards of care.

But the BMA says the website will leave GPs susceptible to personal vendettas and libellous remarks.

GPC chairman Dr Laurence Buckman said: ‘I think the idea of patients giving their opinion is reasonable but the opportunity for manipulated opinion, both positively and negatively, is considerable.

‘It doesn't measure what GPs do, it measures what people think about them.'

The opportunity to rate named practice staff other than GPs is not offered.

tom.ireland@haymarket.com

Comment below and tell us what you think

Comments

Theresa Smith

15/07/2008

Bring it on.......lets have a site for Practice Nurses!

dean dorsett

15/07/2008

Shipman did not have complaints

dean dorsett

15/07/2008

antibiotics, herceptin, 20 minute consultations and sunday midnight consultations for everybody... better to have smiley doctors than those who know what they are doing

The website is a blunt and misleading tool and claims to allow you to "Choose the very best care for you and your family"... any clinician can see that to claim that only the opinion of a small number of computer owning patients makes the very best Clinician is ignorant to say the least... I do hope it is a limited company or this specialist has a lucrative private practice as the financial liability and legal cost would be scary.

It is suprising that this specialist Dr does not realise that he is not only being used as a political tool but that he is so open to libel charges that I almost hope that I am the first doctor to get a poor review

Donna Smith

16/07/2008

I am all for protecting the patient and getting the best for the patient within the limited resources lets also protect the doctors and name the patients who hop from one practice to another, those who are high demand, aggressive tendencies, frequent attenders, don't keep appointments the open approach has to be two way

Rupen Kulkarni

16/07/2008

I fail to understand the logic of posting comments about your GP on this site. A select few who are deliriously happy or seething in anger after seeing their doctor will care to write if they are IT savvy. That leaves the 90% real patients who are happy or not so happy for various reasons out of the picture. All comments are one sided stories. How can you protect yourself against libel when the stuff written about other people may be entirely indefensible. In real life, if you called someone a foul name and he had a witness, he can sue you. Here people are offering evidence. Its like saying- HIT ME ! Dr. Neil Bacon is a brave man.

Lesley Kewley

16/07/2008

I am not a Dr but see this as yet another means for the disgruntled few to go doctor bashing - this is a legal minefield and I wish Dr Bacon luck. I do hope the practice nurse asking for a similar site is aware of what she is asking for and has both a good lawyer and good insurance

Only registered users may comment. Log in now or register for a free account.