PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release: Thursday, 31 January 2019
Responding to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announcement on the new GP contract, MDDUS chief executive Chris Kenny said:
“Since the state-backed indemnity scheme was announced in October 2017, MDDUS has constantly highlighted the need to protect the global sum from the cost of the future liabilities scheme (FLS). We have continually lobbied for this, so we welcome the commitment to fully fund the FLS now and in future years.
“This commitment to funding 2018/19 increases and the FLS in future years is crucial as the costs of indemnity will continue to rise in the absence of any meaningful tort reform measures. State-backed indemnity will not slow the rate of increase in indemnity costs without legal reform. It is key that the proposed joint work monitors this to ensure primary care monies are not diverted from frontline services to fund these increases.
“We have been waiting for more detail on how this will operate so we welcome the confirmation that the scheme will operate from April this year, though much operational detail is still missing as are details on the management of existing claims. What’s important now is that GPs in England receive more information about how the new scheme will operate and particularly any workload impact on practices.”
The state-backed indemnity scheme does not provide the comprehensive benefits provided to GPs by MDDUS and that’s why the BMA has advised: ‘The scope of the state-backed scheme is to cover the cost of clinical negligence for NHS services. The MDOs will continue to play an important role in providing legal advice, representation for GMC hearings and also for the rare occasion where a criminal case occurs. Similar to hospital colleagues, it will be essential to maintain such medical indemnity.’
Kenny added: “MDDUS provides a gold standard service providing medico-legal advice and support 24/7, every day of the year and we will continue to do so for our members. The state-backed indemnity scheme will not cover GPs for non-NHS work, representation at inquests, GMC investigations and disciplinary investigations related to the practise of medicine. The scheme will also not include the expert medico-legal advice and support – something highly prized by our members.
“Fragmenting the integrated service offered by MDOs remains a high risk and we are concerned that there is a real danger that NHS Resolution will put the financial interests of the service ahead of the protection of the professional reputation of the GP. MDDUS will be pressing for the clearest possible commitments on this when we meet DHSC and NHS Resolution to hear more about their operating model.”
Notes to editors
MDDUS is the leading provider of GP indemnity in the UK with over 19,000 GP members. Founded in 1902, MDDUS is a mutual defence organisation offering expert medico-legal advice and professional indemnity for doctors and other healthcare professionals across the UK. After the introduction of state-backed indemnity scheme, GPs still need comprehensive protection that SBIS alone won’t provide. The scheme will not cover GPs for non-NHS work, representation at inquests, GMC hearings and disciplinary investigations. Such situations can seriously impact upon a GP’s career and could ultimately result in them being struck off. We have an information hub on our website with more details about the state-backed indemnity scheme and the work MDDUS is doing to ensure the best outcome for our members. You can access the SBIS information hub here.
Ends
For further information contact Richard Hendry on 0333 0434444 or 07976 272266, or email rihendry@mddus.com.
This page was correct at the time of publication. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.