The guidelines in this course are only intended to be interpreted by degree qualified healthcare professionals and as guidance for referral for those who are not. They are not intended to replace clinical judgement and it is important that the practitioner makes the correct diagnosis and works within their scope of competency.

Some complications may require prescription medicines to help in their management and if the practitioner is not familiar with the medication, the patient should be appropriately referred. Informing the patient’s General Practitioner is considered good medical practice and patient consent should be sought.

It may be appropriate to involve the General Practitioner or other Specialist for shared care management when the treating practitioner is not able or lacks the experience to manage the complications themselves.

Practitioners have a duty of care and if applicable, are accountable to their professional bodies and must act honestly, ethically and professionally.

It is always worth adding this to your consent forms and mentioning at consultation that referral for unlikely, but possible complications, may be required and gain their consent as standard practice so this is not required should an emergency or time critical complication occur.