A rapid-fire deep dive into the GMC’s core guidance and key UK laws for the MSRA SJT.
We compress 33 essential GMC guidelines into exam-ready actions, scenarios, and sticky mnemonics—so you can prioritise safety, escalate early, act lawfully, and document like a pro.
What you’ll learn
• Good Medical Practice (2024): safety first, work within competence, escalate early, document clearly.
• Confidentiality & Data Protection: minimum necessary info; implied vs explicit consent; secure handling.
• Education & Training: anonymise first; get explicit consent if identifiable/sensitive.
• Third-party reports (employers/insurers): written consent + relevant, factual, proportionate disclosure.
• Serious Communicable Disease & Public Interest: seek senior/Caldicott advice; document decisions.
• Fitness to Drive (DVLA/DVA): advise legal duty to notify; if persistent risk → inform DVLA and tell patient.
• Violence/Knife/Gunshot: treat first; safeguarding; usually inform police for non-accidental injuries.
• Social/News Criticism: never reveal patient info; keep responses general; get defence/comms advice.
• Personal Beliefs: no discrimination; conscientious objection only with seamless onward access; emergencies override.
• Conflicts of Interest: declare interests; don’t let them influence care; transparent fees/gifts.
• Social Media: same standards online; protect confidentiality; be clear about your role.
• Ending the Professional Relationship: only after genuine trust breakdown; follow process; ensure continuity.
• Safeguarding & 0–18s: best interests; Gillick/Fraser; lawful information-sharing; follow local pathways.
• Prescribing: adequate knowledge of patient; evidence-based; avoid self/family prescribing (except true emergency).
• Consent & Capacity: shared decisions; material risks; presume capacity; MCA best interests if lacking.
• Recordings/Images: implied consent for direct care; explicit consent for teaching/research/media; store securely.
• Research: REC approval; valid consent; protections for those lacking capacity.
• End-of-Life: DNACPR = CPR only; ADRTs/LPAs; early advance care planning; meticulous documentation.
• Leadership & Raising Concerns: speak up early; use formal channels; keep records.
• Duty of Candour: be open; sincere apology; explain; offer remedy; report and learn (near-misses too).
• Delegation vs Referral: check competence; transfer complete info; clarify responsibility.
• Legal/Witness/Reporting: duty to court; impartial evidence; tell GMC promptly about cautions/charges/findings.
• 2024–25 Update: GMC standards also apply to Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Associates (within scope).
Mnemonics featured
ACCESS • REPORT • CONTACT • DRIVE • STAB • SILENT • BELIEF • SOCIAL • CONTINUE • CHILD • SAFER • INFORM • CROPP • VALID • ADVANCE • TEAMS • SPEAKUP • APOLOGY • SAFE TRANSFER • HONEST
📎 More MSRA resources to accompany this episode:
• PassTheMSRA – Home: https://www.passthemsra.com
• SJT for the MSRA (course): https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/sjt-for-the-msra/
• SJT Mock Papers (x10): https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/sjt-msra-mock-papers-x-10/
• YouTube channel (free videos): https://www.youtube.com/@PasstheMSRA
Educational only—always follow your local policies and the most current national guidance.
