Ethical hub

Here you can find a collection of resources exploring how to apply our professional standards in practice, focusing on areas you often ask us about, or have told us you find challenging. These pages will help you address important ethical issues and incorporate good practice into your work within your competence.

Topics for doctors

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Doctors working under pressure questions and answers

Advice
We understand that doctors are working under pressure. These pages answer the commonly asked questions we’ve been asked about our guidance and practising when working under systematic and environmental pressure.
a blue stethoscope rests on the keyboard of a laptop

Our position on doctors industrial action

Ethical theme
Doctors may be faced with challenging situations during strike action, whether or not they're participating directly. But we expect any doctors choosing to take part in industrial action to follow the principles of our guidance.

Topics for doctors, physician associates and anaesthesia associates

Two men in discussion in a medical discussion

Speaking up hub

Advice
On these pages you will find advice and tools to speak up, raise concerns and whistle blow in line with the processes set out in the professional standards.
A female doctor of ethnic background is in discussion with someone whilst being overheard by two colleagues

Racism in the workplace

Advice
Advice for tackling racism in the workplace, which sets out actions you can take if you witness racism or experience it. It also includes information for employers.
A parent consulting with a doctor

Identifying and tackling sexual misconduct

Advice
Advice on how to identify and tackle sexual misconduct and make sure appropriate boundaries are maintained.
Hands typing on a laptop

Social media advice

Advice
Find out how our social media guidance can be applied practically. We've developed this resource to answer common queries we receive.

Older adults

Advice
A patient’s age shouldn’t determine their access to treatment or the standard of care they receive. This page provides advice about the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to deliver excellent care to older adults.
A female patient participating in a remote video consultation with her doctor

Remote consultations

Advice
The number of remote consultations (over the phone, via video link or online) have increased. So when is it safe to prescribe without meeting a patient face to face? Explore how to decide whether a remote consultation is appropriate.

Trans healthcare

Advice
Advice for those treating transgender and gender diverse patients. It links to materials focused on improving professional knowledge and skills, provides advice on confidentiality and equality, as well as prescribing. It also signposts to information on medical records and screening.
An upset man

Adult safeguarding

Advice
The adult safeguarding topic explores the underlying principles which define adult safeguarding. The discussion includes the different types of abuse, and what you should do when an adult who appears to be at risk refuses help.
A woman and her mother sitting on a bench

Mental capacity

Advice
The mental capacity topic explores what to consider when assessing capacity. The discussion includes how to maximise your patient’s capacity, and what to do if they lack the capacity to make treatment or care decisions.
mature woman smiling at the camera

Learning disabilities

Advice
If your patient has a learning disability it is important to consider how to make your practice accessible. This topic explores the concept of diagnostic overshadowing. We also provide advice on communicating and making reasonable adjustments for people with a learning disability.