All doctors in the UK are required by Good Medical Practice to assure themselves that they are adequately indemnified or insured in relation to clinical negligence claims. While claims in relation to most NHS activity will be covered by a state-backed indemnity scheme provided by Kingston Hospital NHS Trust, most doctors who carry out any private work and other activity not covered by a state-backed indemnity scheme, protect themselves from such claims through their membership of one of the Medical Defence Organisations (MDOs).
We strongly recommend that you consider registering with a MDO prior to commencing any clinical work in the UK.
The vast majority of doctors in the UK are members of one of the three main MDOs: the Medical Protection Society (MPS), the Medical Defence Union (MDU) or the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS). There are also smaller indemnity or insurance providers such as Premium Medical Protection, Medical Defence Shield and Towergate MIA.
Membership to MDOs provide doctors with 24 hours a day, seven days a week access to medico-legal advice, as well as the right to request advice and legal representation for General Medical Council referrals, disciplinary hearings, coroner’s inquests, and fatal accident inquiries, as well as protection for Good Samaritan acts.
The MDOs can also advise you as to whether you need protection from clinical negligence claims.
