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Clinical Negligence Indemnity Cover

Statement made on 1 April 2019

Statement UIN HLWS1433

Statement

My Hon. Friend the Minister of State for Care (Caroline Dinenage MP) has made the following written statement:

I am today updating the House on recent developments regarding indemnity arrangements for NHS general practice in England.

The Government has today launched the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP), operated by NHS Resolution on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. The regulations establishing the scheme are at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/334/contents/made. NHS Resolution have published guidance covering the scope and operation of the scheme https://resolution.nhs.uk/services/claims-management/clinical-claims/clinical-negligence-scheme-for-general-practice/. The new scheme delivers a key component of the GP contract for 2019-20 and is expected to contribute to the recruitment and retention of GPs in the future. The scheme provides comprehensive cover to all GPs and their wider practice team for clinical negligence relating to NHS services occurring from 1st April 2019. All GPs and others providing primary medical services are automatically covered under the scheme. In addition, GPs and their practice staff providing other types of NHS services as part of their GP practice are also covered. There is no charge for this cover.

In parallel, to deliver on our commitment to put in place an existing liabilities scheme (ELS), we have agreed commercial terms with the Medical Protection Society covering claims for historic NHS clinical negligence incidents of their GP members occurring at any time before 1st April 2019. NHS Resolution will have oversight of the arrangements for the new scheme and for an interim period claims handling will be retained by the MPS. Discussions are ongoing with other Medical Defence Organisations.

The Department will keep the operation of both CNSGP and the ELS arrangements under close scrutiny to ensure an effective service for GPs and the value for money of both schemes.

Linked statements

This statement has also been made in the House of Commons

Department of Health and Social Care
Clinical Negligence Indemnity Cover
Caroline Dinenage
Minister of State for Care
Conservative, Gosport
Statement made 1 April 2019
HCWS1470
Commons