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Indemnity in General Practice

Oct 18, 2017

The Department of Health has issued a statement on the indemnity offer made by MDU following the recent announcement of a state-backed indemnity scheme. This statement can be found here.

The ‘Transitional Benefits Scheme’ offered by MDU to their GP members in England is completely different to traditional occurrence-based model. This is effectively a ‘claims-paid’ scheme which will involve a GP member purchasing adequate run-off cover. How much the run-off cover will cost and for how long a member would have to pay is impossible to say at present. There have been cases where claims have been reported 40 years after the event occurred!

This is certainly not a discount and we are very surprised by the lack of transparency on this issue. MDS only offers an occurrence-based model. As an organisation for GPs only, we want GPs to be empowered to choose their MDO and help them to make an informed decision.

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A successful start

Oct 17, 2017

Medical Defense Society (MDS) was created by GPs for GPs in view of the spiralling indemnity costs and our wish to provide a bespoke, high-quality service tailored to the specific needs of GPs. We have had a successful start, receiving very positive feedback from our GP members to date.

We are pleased that the government recognises the problem of GP indemnity costs and is exploring the possibility of a state-backed scheme for GPs akin to that already offered to NHS Trusts.

Having said that, all of the briefing papers disclosed to us by the Department of Health over recent months make clear that this new scheme will assist GPs in relation to clinical negligence claims only. It appears that GPs will still require separate cover in respect of the many other potential jeopardies they encounter, including GMC investigations, performers list proceedings, CQC action, inquests and more.

MDS remains open for new GP members to join and will continue to offer competitive rates and an outstanding service. Above all, we remain 100% committed to our members, who will always be our priority.