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CAT2B Questions and Answers

  • More than 50% of my work is in a private setting under the Government’s ‘SafetyNet’ agreement. Isn’t this covered by the State and therefore nothing to do with Medical Protection?
    You are correct that the SafetyNet arrangement is covered by the State under the SCA – and that you therefore do not require Medical Protection indemnity for this work. We would suggest that you check what your contractual agreement is with your hospital management and have it documented that the patients are being treated under the terms of the SafetyNet agreement.
     
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  • How much private practice work can I do as an HSE Consultant?
    If you are a Type B*, Type C or Category 2 Consultant (CAT2B) and more than half of the work you do is with private patients and is conducted outside of a public hospital, then you should contact us as soon as possible to ensure that you have the right level of protection in place.  

    Conversely, if no more than half of your work commitment involves the treatment of private patients outside of a public hospital (whether they be private or state patients being treated in your private facilities as part of the NTPF scheme), then you can be confident that you are in the correct grade of membership.
     
     
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  • What does Medical Protection define as private practice?
    Medical Protection defines private practice as the treatment of private patients outside of a public hospital (whether they be private, or state patients being treated in your private facilities as part of the NTPF scheme). This includes any work you undertake for private providers that have been commissioned to provide services to HSE patients.
     
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  • Why does Medical Protection limit the amount of private practice work and HSE Consultant can undertake?

    On-site private practice in public hospitals is covered by the Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS) and poses no financial risk in respect of claims for either the member or Medical Protection.  Private practice performed outside of a public hospital does, however, carry that risk, and it is for this reason that we limit the amount of work that you can be indemnified for in this particular grade.
     

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  • Is NTPF/public waiting list work considered private practice?

    Yes, it is, because the Clinical Indemnity Scheme does not provide protection for any private work that is undertaken outside of a public hospital – which may include NTPF patients that you see as part of your private practice work.
     

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  • How are the grade definitions set?

    We work closely with members, stakeholders and affiliated colleges to ensure our grades are reflective of your work practices as consultants in Ireland.
     

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