concern that this may slip further due to the pressures on parliamentary time caused by the Brexit process and associated legislation.”
New dental risk toolbox
Five key messages to address discount rate reform
MDDUS has highlighted five key messages for the government to address as part of the process of setting the new discount rate to ensure fairness for all and ease wider pressures on the healthcare system. This follows a House of Lords debate where
proposals to reform how the discount rate is set were discussed as part of the second reading of the Civil Liability Bill. MDDUS chief executive Chris Kenny said:
“We have been at the forefront of the discount rate debate to put some rationality and hard evidence into the system and it is imperative that a new rate is set as soon as possible that is fair to claimants and defendants alike and gives the market greater certainty.” MDDUS has highlighted the following five
key messages for the government to address: 1.
2. 3.
The current discount rate results in over- compensation.
The bill must be accelerated so that the new discount rate comes into force as soon as possible.
The first review should be conducted without the delay necessitated by input from an expert panel.
4. The review period should be five years rather than three.
5.
The long title of the bill should be expanded to allow a more joined-up approach to tort reform.
Mr Kenny said: “We welcome the
government’s offer to reflect on many of these points, but expect to see that reflection leading to firm proposals in later stages of the bill’s passage. “We fully accept that there must be
reasonable compensation for patients harmed through clinical negligence, but this needs to be balanced by society’s ability to pay. By setting the discount rate with reference to ‘low risk’ rather than ‘very low risk’ investments, this more accurately reflects evidence of the way in which claimants choose to invest their compensation payments. “We urge the government to commit to
having a revised rate in place as soon as possible. Justice officials have indicated that the bill is unlikely to be passed until April 2019. However, there is widespread
Wales opts for state- backed indemnity
THE Welsh government has decided to introduce a state-backed indemnity scheme for GPs in Wales from April 2019 – following in the footsteps of the recent decision by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in England. MDDUS chief executive Chris Kenny
responded: “We note the decision by the Welsh government and understand the rationale for it, given close links of primary care across the English and Welsh border. “However, like DHSC, the Welsh
government now need to urgently identify an operating model for the scheme and take cross-government action to reduce the drivers of unwarranted claims. Without that, it will simply shift rather than reduce cost to the NHS and potentially leave individual doctors worse protected. “Any state-backed scheme will not cover
GPs for non-NHS work, representation at inquests, GMC hearings and disciplinary investigations and will also not include advice and support – vital services which are highly prized by MDDUS members. We will continue to serve our members and meet their needs into the future.”
LEARN more about key risks in complaints handling , record keeping and the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) with our MDDUS dental risk toolbox. Members can login to access a wide range
of tailor-made resources including practical checklists, guidance sheets, online courses, quizzes, instructive videos and advice articles. Test your knowledge on the GDPR, brush up on best practice in complaints handling and explore common pitfalls in record keeping. Access all these resources and more in the
Training & CPD section at
www.mddus.com (login required).
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UPDATED MDDUS PRIVACY NOTICE MDDUS has updated the company privacy notice in compliance with requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Members can view the updated notice at www.
mddus.com/mddus- policies/privacy-notice.
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HOSPITAL RISK TRAINING AT MDDUS EXPLORE common risks facing hospital doctors at an MDDUS risk training day. The interactive sessions will cover consent, confidentiality, record keeping and GMC issues, using anonymised case studies. Venue: MDDUS Glasgow office. Date: 15 August from 09.30 to 16.30. Find out more or book at
risk@mddus.com. A CPD certificate will be provided to delegates.
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MANAGE YOUR MEMBERSHIP ONLINE MEMBERS can now access a secure online portal allowing you to “manage your membership” – including the ability to download and print membership certificates, copies of renewal notices and online CPD, and also change your address and other personal details. Register at the login prompt at
www.mddus.com.
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GP RISK TRAINING DAY LEARN more about how complaints and negligence claims occur in primary care in an interactive risk training day focused on key areas such as complaints handling, patient communication, chaperones and social media. Venue: MDDUS Glasgow office. Date: 30 August, 09:30 - 16:30. Find out more and book at
risk@mddus.com
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