Solicitors’ letters regarding ‘mask discrimination’

We are aware that practices are being contacted by solicitors’ firms seeking damages for patients for “discrimination in relation to mask wearing and access to care”. The following advice may be helpful for practices in order to identify the reasonableness of such claims:

  1. Check the solicitor/firm is real using the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) website.
  2. The SRA’s “scam alerts” for the public and businesses are also helpful.
  3. Report the matter directly to the SRA if you think a firm or anyone regulated by the SRA has breached an SRA Principle. There are seven Principles that all people and law firms regulated by SRA must meet. This means that they must act:
    • in a way that upholds the constitutional principle of the rule of law, and the proper administration of justice
    • in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the solicitors' profession and in legal services provided by authorised persons
    • with independence
    • with honesty
    • with integrity
    • in a way that encourages equality, diversity and inclusion
    • in the best interests of each client.
  4. There are two Codes of Conduct which outline the professional standards expected. The first Code of Conduct is for regulated solicitors, and lawyers from overseas. The second Code of Conduct is for regulated firms. This sets out requirements for those firms, the people who manage them, and other employees who work in them.
  5. Should you wish to report the solicitor or firm to the SRA, instructions on how to do this are here. When reporting: set out your concerns clearly, identify individuals you consider responsible, attach any evidence you have in support. Complete a report form and send to report@sra.org.uk.
  6. For guidance on the complaints process, call the SRA contact centre. They cannot provide advice about your issue, but can point you in the right direction.

The following resources may also be helpful:

Last updated : 12 Jul 2021

 

Get ready now for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (23 Jan 2018)

Data protection law changes in 2018. Practices need to be ready for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which comes into force on 25 May 2018. NHS guidance on what...
Read more »

LMC elections 2018 (23 Jan 2018)

It’s LMC election time again at Londonwide LMCs! This year every LMC seat is up for election. Any GP working in one of the 27 London boroughs we represent may...
Read more »

Obituary: Dr Param-Jeet Singh Sandhu 1947-2018 (23 Jan 2018)

General Practitioner, Hammond Road Practice, Southall, Middlesex. (Birth 1947 q. Punjabi University 1972 – Died on 5th January 2018 from metastatic carcinoma of the prostate at the age of 70...
Read more »

Tips of the week December/January 2018 (22 Jan 2018)

We provide weekly tips based on common queries which come through to us from London GPs and practice teams. These are shared via social media and collated for...
Read more »

Local authority reports and letters reimbursement under collaborative arrangements (22 Jan 2018)

Dr Elliott Singer, Medical Director at Londonwide LMCs, recently wrote to the local authorities (LAs) in the 27 London boroughs covered by Londonwide LMCs to raise the issue of practices not...
Read more »

Why being able to summarise medical records still matters in the digital age (22 Jan 2018)

High quality training for medical notes summarising remains vital for general practice says Hilary Andrews, Nurse Advisor/Freelance Trainer for HAT Training and Medical Services Training. Summarising medical records is hardly...
Read more »

GPC regional election nominations 2018 (18 Jan 2018)

Nominations are open for the round of GPC regional elections to cover terms from 2018-21. In London two seats are up for election: Enfield and Haringey, Camden and Islington,...
Read more »
Next Page »
« Previous Page