Pregnant employee dismissal Q: We employed a staff member on a month's trial period (which she scraped through) but after employing her for eight months we have concluded that her performance really isn't up to the standard required - although she says we are underpaying her. ...

Locum rates 2011 The latest locum rates by area in the UK from a Medeconomics survey conducted in May 2011.

Consulting Crimes - Management planning In 15 years as a trainer and RCGP examiner, Bromley GP Dr James Heathcote has watched more than a thousand GPs consulting. Most consultations are like the curate's egg - 'good in parts', but over the years he has seen some behaviour that, if not stri...

Medico-Legal - Always audit significant events Auditing critical events is crucial to avoid claims and improve patient safety, says Dr Pallavi Bradshaw.

Tax nuggets - GPs' pensions annual allowance Russell Finn explains how to work out if you are above or below the annual allowance limit.

Mary Selby - The patients who return when they're better When people get better they tend not to come back - so when they do we are sometimes puzzled (or even alarmed, as when Mrs Fester turned up with the fruit cake to thank us for trying after she drowned the maggots in her legs).