The scheme is planned to come into force from April 2019, although the details are still to be finalised so it is essential that you maintain your existing membership in the meantime.
A state-backed indemnity scheme would only provide claims indemnity for clinical negligence claims arising from NHS contracted work. We believe that many GPs would therefore still want to retain their membership with Medical Protection, either with or without claims indemnity, depending on the amount of private work that they undertake.
Your membership includes the right to request claims indemnity, and support with any problems that arise from your professional practice, such as complaints, GMC inquiries, inquests and disciplinary proceedings.
Work is underway to introduce a state-backed indemnity scheme for those working in general practice in England and Wales from 1 April 2019. Once the scheme goes live it will provide indemnity for clinical negligence claims arising from NHS contracted work.
Our understanding is that the state-backed scheme would provide a comprehensive NHS indemnity solution for all those who are involved in the delivery of general practice. However, the details are still to be developed, and we do not yet know how it will operate for different individuals within general practice.
The health departments in Scotland and Northern Ireland have not yet announced whether they will introduce similar arrangements as those proposed for England and Wales.
Discussions are ongoing, and we will continue to work with the Scottish Government and officials in Northern Ireland to help inform their plans for protecting GPs from the rising cost of clinical negligence.
Our understanding is that the state-backed scheme would provide a comprehensive NHS indemnity solution for all those who are involved in the delivery of general practice. However, the details are still to be developed, and we do not yet know how it will operate for different individuals within general practice.
Both the UK and Welsh governments have announced that they are to develop a state-backed indemnity scheme for GPs.
Once developed, GPs would have access to a similar arrangement to the claims indemnity that is provided to NHS hospital doctors.
The scheme is planned to come into force from April 2019, although the details are still to be finalised, so it is essential that you maintain your existing membership until the NHS arrangement comes into effect.
We have consistently pushed the UK Government to put the interests of GPs first, and we remain committed to securing the best outcome for GP members. We recognise that it might take time to iron out all the details of the planned scheme. We will update you when we know more.
Responsibility for the handling of clinical negligence claims against GPs in England and Wales changed on 1 April 2021. Dr Dawn McGuire, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, looks at what this might mean for you
Read moreBaby T was eight weeks old when his mother brought him to his GP’s morning surgery. His mother had become increasingly concerned about his general irritability and frequent crying episodes, which lasted up to two hours. These had become apparent over the past three days, not settling with breast feeding.
Read moreMr S was a 60-year-old lorry driver. He was overweight and smoked, and couldn’t walk far because he suffered with pain in his calves.
Read moreWhen Mrs C, a keen golfer in her early forties, began to experience constant pain in her lower back, she consulted a GP at her local surgery. Dr P took a history of slow onset of pain with restricted mobility. He did not examine her, but prescribed an NSAID and advised Mrs C to return in two weeks if there was no improvement.
Read moreA patient dies after amoxicillin reaction – we support GP through criminal investigation, inquest and GMC hearing.
Read moreDoctors without legal representation face tougher sanctions from Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service hearings.
Read moreYou'll notice a few things have changed on our website. After asking our members what they want in an online platform, we've made it easier to access our membership benefits and created a more personalised user experience.
Why not take our quick 60-second tour? We'll show you how it all works and it should only take a minute.
Take the tour Continue to site
Use the top navigation bar to access essential links from any page of the site.
Should you need to contact us, our phone numbers are always visible.
Start your search by choosing your profession and/or area of interest through the two dropdowns.
We'll save your profession in the "I am a..." dropdown filter for next time.
Narrow your search based on theme, field, format, article, type or location.
Based on the pages you visit, we'll also provide useful links under the 'More' tab.
Now you've seen all of the updated features, it's time for you to try them out.
