NOTICE BOARD


Dental indemnity or insurance? ALL dentists are required by the GDC to ensure that patients are “able to claim


any compensation they may be entitled to by making sure you are protected against claims at all times, including past periods of practice.” This is currently a professional rather than a legal requirement. But in October 2013 a new EU directive will come into force requiring by law that


“systems of professional liability insurance, or a guarantee or similar arrangement that is equivalent or essentially comparable as regards its purpose and which is appropriate to the nature and the extent of the risk, are in place for treatment provided”. A number of members have recently called MDDUS asking if this means dentists will need an insurance product rather than access to indemnity as is provided by MDDUS. The short answer is “no”. Back in June of 2010 an Independent Review Group


appointed by the Government made recommendations on UK compliance to the EU directive. In its report, the group concluded that requiring healthcare professionals to have indemnity or insurance cover in place as a condition of their registration was the most cost effective and efficient means of achieving the policy objective. The group made clear that either indemnity or an insurance product would be adequate to comply with the EU directive. The Department of Health has accepted these recommendations and, therefore, there is no specific stipulation that dentists will be required to have only an insurance product in place and not an indemnity product. Membership of the MDDUS provides occurrence-based indemnity. This means that members are eligible for assistance for all events that occur while you are a member, regardless of when an actual claim is made. You will enjoy the full support of MDDUS even if you have moved abroad, ceased clinical work or retired. Insurance products operate in a completely different way; they usually only guarantee protection if you are insured both when the incident occurred and when the claim is made. The crucial importance of this lies in the fact that medical and dental malpractice claims can be made several months or even years after the events that give rise to the claim. Occurrence-based indemnity, as offered by the MDDUS, can meet claims that arise


Winners announced at BMJ Awards 2013


THE very best of patient care was celebrated at the BMJ Awards in London on May 9.


Individuals and medical teams who have made outstanding contributions to healthcare were honoured at the ceremony at the Westminster Plaza Hotel. MDDUS was proud to be principal sponsor of the event – now in its fifth year – and the Union’s chief executive Professor Gordon Dickson welcomed the 644 guests, 63 shortlisted teams and 15 winning teams who had travelled to the event from all over the UK. The awards were hosted by comedian Dara O’Briain. MDDUS Chairman Dr Brendan Sweeney


(above) handed out the MDDUS-sponsored Primary Care Team of the Year Award to Littlewick Outreach to Vulnerable Elderly


● NEW ONLINE RISK RESOURCE ON CONSENT Check out the second module of our free interactive online risk resource designed by MDDUS specifically for GPs, practice managers and practice staff. The e-Learning Risk


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from treatment carried out in the past without the need for any further premium to be paid and can protect the member in perpetuity. There is no financial cap, or limit per claim, as is often the case with insurance products. Claims-made insurance only covers you for the period for which the policy is in force. Claims from the past may have to be covered by the payment of an additional premium or run-off cover. This is in effect a “hidden” cost and risk of insurance.


Aubrey Craig, head of dental services, MDDUS


(LOVE) Project in Derbyshire who target unmet health and social care needs among over-70s. The prestigious Medical Team of the Year went to the Britain Nepal Otology Service (BRINOS) which has carried out more than 4,000 major ear operations at surgical and out-patient camps in Nepal (see page 12 of this issue). For a full list of all the winners log on to


the awards website at http:// groupawards.bmj.com


Resource on consent highlights some of the most common areas of risk in general practice and offers guidance and practical advice. The new module can be accessed in the Training and Consultancy section of mddus.com.


Keep us informed of private practice earnings


IF you are a doctor in private practice your subscription is based partly on the work you do and partly on the private fees you earn. Your renewal notice will show the level of earnings upon which your subscription has been based and it is your responsibility to ensure that this is sufficient to cover expected earnings for the year to come.


● PRESCRIBING BENZODIAZEPINES - ONLINE CPD A new online CPD learning module outlining the key risks in prescribing benzodiazepines has been produced by the MHRA. The self-directed learning package has


been approved for up to 2.5 CPD credits and covers the various types of benzodiazepine drugs encountered, risks in use and how these risks can be reduced, as well as important drug interactions. Access at www. tinyurl.com/d64bkju


SUMMONS


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