13 October 2017
The UK Government has announced plans to develop a state-backed indemnity scheme for GPs involved in the provision of NHS primary medical services in England.
It is envisaged that the scheme will provide clinical negligence cover to individual GPs but will also provide cover for practice staff and other medical professionals working in the provision of connected services. The scheme will not, however, indemnify individual GPs in relation to private work, coroners’ cases or matters relating to professional regulation such as GMC investigations. As such, it is likely that individual GPs will wish to continue with private indemnity arrangements to cover such eventualities. It is also important to note that the announcement relates solely to GPs practising in England and does not extend to the devolved nations.
The Department of Health has advised that it will continue to liaise closely with the Medical Defence Organisations to understand what impact the introduction of the new scheme may have for GPs and others.
The government anticipates that the scheme will take at least 12 to 18 months to establish.
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Contact Laura Donald, Partner T. 0131 222 2939