The scheme is planned to come into force from April 2019, although the details are still to be finalised so it is essential that you maintain your existing membership in the meantime.       
A state-backed indemnity scheme would only provide claims indemnity for clinical negligence claims arising from NHS contracted work. We believe that many GPs would therefore still want to retain their membership with Medical Protection, either with or without claims indemnity, depending on the amount of private work that they undertake.

Your membership includes the right to request claims indemnity, and support with any problems that arise from your professional practice, such as complaints, GMC inquiries, inquests and disciplinary proceedings.

Work is underway to introduce a state-backed indemnity scheme for those working in general practice in England and Wales from 1 April 2019. Once the scheme goes live it will provide indemnity for clinical negligence claims arising from NHS contracted work.

Our understanding is that the state-backed scheme would provide a comprehensive NHS indemnity solution for all those who are involved in the delivery of general practice. However, the details are still to be developed, and we do not yet know how it will operate for different individuals within general practice. 

The health departments in Scotland and Northern Ireland have not yet announced whether they will introduce similar arrangements as those proposed for England and Wales. 

Discussions are ongoing, and we will continue to work with the Scottish Government and officials in Northern Ireland to help inform their plans for protecting GPs from the rising cost of clinical negligence. 

Our understanding is that the state-backed scheme would provide a comprehensive NHS indemnity solution for all those who are involved in the delivery of general practice. However, the details are still to be developed, and we do not yet know how it will operate for different individuals within general practice.

Both the UK and Welsh governments have announced that they are to develop a state-backed indemnity scheme for GPs.

Once developed, GPs would have access to a similar arrangement to the claims indemnity that is provided to NHS hospital doctors.

The scheme is planned to come into force from April 2019, although the details are still to be finalised, so it is essential that you maintain your existing membership until the NHS arrangement comes into effect.   

We have consistently pushed the UK Government to put the interests of GPs first, and we remain committed to securing the best outcome for GP members. We recognise that it might take time to iron out all the details of the planned scheme. We will update you when we know more.