INSURANCE GUIDE
Medical Malpractice Insurance for Doctors UK
Medical defence organisation cover, NHS indemnity limits and private practice protection for UK doctors.
TL;DR
- NHS-employed doctors are covered by NHS Resolution for clinical negligence in their NHS work - private work requires separate indemnity.
- Medical Defence Organisations (MDOs) such as the MDU and MPS provide indemnity for private practice and GMC hearings.
- The GMC requires doctors to have appropriate indemnity in place before practising.
- Claims-made commercial policies are an alternative to MDO membership for private practitioners.
GMC Requirement for Medical Indemnity
The General Medical Council (GMC) requires all registered doctors to have appropriate medical indemnity cover before practising medicine. This is a registration requirement. Doctors who practise without appropriate indemnity risk GMC fitness to practise proceedings in addition to being personally liable for uninsured claims. The GMC does not specify a minimum limit but requires cover appropriate to the scope and nature of the doctor's practice.
NHS Resolution and State-Backed Indemnity
Doctors employed by NHS trusts are covered by NHS Resolution for clinical negligence claims arising from their NHS employment. This is a state-backed indemnity scheme managed by NHS Resolution. It covers claims relating to NHS patient care. It does not cover private practice, GMC regulatory proceedings, or actions outside the scope of NHS employment. GPs in England are covered by the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP) for NHS work.
Medical Defence Organisations
The Medical Defence Union (MDU) and the Medical Protection Society (MPS) are the two principal medical defence organisations in the UK. They provide discretionary indemnity - meaning they have discretion over whether to support a claim - rather than contractual insurance. Benefits include: clinical negligence indemnity for private practice; medico-legal advice; GMC hearing support; inquest representation; and Good Samaritan act cover. Membership fees are based on specialty, practice setting, and income.
Commercial Claims-Made Insurance
Commercial medical malpractice insurance policies - available from Lloyd's of London syndicates and specialist medical insurers - provide contractual indemnity for private practitioners. Unlike MDO discretionary indemnity, a commercial policy creates a contractual obligation to pay covered claims. Some private practitioners prefer commercial policies for their contractual certainty. Run-off cover is essential on claims-made commercial policies when switching providers or retiring.
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice. Kaeltripton.com is not regulated by the FCA. Always read policy documents in full before purchasing cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do NHS doctors need their own medical indemnity?
NHS-employed doctors need their own indemnity only for activities outside their NHS employment - private practice, GMC proceedings, voluntary work, and Good Samaritan acts. For NHS clinical negligence claims, NHS Resolution provides cover. Many NHS doctors maintain MDO membership for the medico-legal support, regulatory hearing cover, and private practice indemnity it provides beyond what NHS Resolution covers.
What is the difference between MDU and MPS indemnity?
Both the MDU and MPS are medical defence organisations providing discretionary indemnity with similar core benefits. Differences include membership fee structures, the range of supplementary services, geographical coverage for international practitioners, and specific policy conditions. Both have long histories of supporting UK doctors. Comparing current membership terms, fees, and any practice-specific conditions is advisable before selecting between them.
