MDDUS response to General Practice Forward View

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release: Thursday, 21 April 2016

Responding to NHS England’s ‘General Practice Forward View’ package that was unveiled today, MDDUS chief executive Chris Kenny said:

“MDDUS welcome the planned investment to improve patient care and reduce the workload on general practice. Greater resources and new ways of working will reduce risk and can address rising numbers of complaints and claims.

“We also welcome wider debate on proper resourcing and legal reform in order to reduce the costs faced by the profession. We hope that debate not only encourages competition but will help build an understanding of the key issues rather than reach for glib conclusions.

“MDDUS has long believed that the object of a fair system for resolving clinical negligence claims should be timely, proper and just compensation for those wrongly damaged.

“We strongly support the introduction of a fixed recoverable cost scheme, especially for lower value claims. It is in everyone’s interest to ensure that patients rather than the legal services industry benefit from properly advanced claims and settlements.

“MDDUS will continue to work together with NHS England and the Department of Health as we seek solutions to common problems. If that’s delivered, then the profession will remain in control of its indemnity risk, which its own expert bodies like MDDUS are best placed to manage.”

Ends

For further information contact Richard Hendry on 0845 270 2034 or 07976 272266, or email rihendry@mddus.com.

Note to editors

MDDUS (The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland) is a medical and dental defence organisation providing access to professional indemnity and expert medico- and dento-legal advice for doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals throughout the UK.

For further information on MDDUS go to www.mddus.com