How to obtain indemnity in the UK
Welcome to the United Kingdom
In coming to work in the UK, you may experience very different working practices to those in your own country. While you are working here, there is a chance that you may be faced with a patient complaint which could lead to a claim for clinical negligence or even disciplinary proceedings.
It is therefore important that you are aware of the UK's medico-legal environment and the requirements of regulatory organisations such as the GMC.
Although the National Health Service (NHS) provides an indemnity scheme for medical professionals employed in NHS hospitals, this does not provide cover for Good Samaritan acts or some Fee Paying Services such as signing cremation certificates, or support with complaints or disciplinary procedures by your NHS trust or the GMC. It is a GMC professional requirement that doctors working in the UK "obtain adequate insurance or professional indemnity cover for any part of your practice not covered by an employer’s indemnity scheme".1
The MDU can support you by providing professional indemnity and defending your reputation.
We also provide advice and assistance with medico-legal issues.
How to join
Before you download an application form, ensure you read our Application Guide. We recommend that you print or save a copy of this document as it contains important information about membership, MDU Services Ltd and the policy which we advise you to read.
Please first confirm that we have provided you with our Application Guide by ticking this box
Non Consultant Hospital Doctors & Training Grades (UK) (56kb)
GPs and GP registrars (UK) (96kb)
The completed form should be returned to:
MDU Membership Department
MDU Services Ltd
230 Blackfriars Road
London
SE1 8PJ
United Kingdom
Awaiting limited registration?
Whilst awaiting limited registration with the GMC, you may feel you need extra advice and support, particularly if undertaking a clinical attachment. Apply for membership of the MDU, and you will receive the following benefits free of charge until you start work:
- Access to member-only areas of the MDU's website, containing medico-legal advice, articles and publications
- Substantial discounts on educational resources, including books, and the MDU Ethics and Law Workshops
- Access to the MDU's library of journals and publications on medico-legal issues such as complaints and confidentiality.
Full membership
Before you start work in the UK, you should contact our membership department to progress your application to full membership of the MDU. Full membership provides access to insured indemnity as part of an extended range of benefits:
- Professional Indemnity Policy – a contract of insurance covering clinical negligence claims made against you. The policy is underwritten by SCOR Insurance (UK) Limited and by International Insurance Company of Hannover Limited, and provides indemnity for up to £10 million2
- Additional discretionary assistance for areas of need arising from your clinical practise which may not be covered by NHS indemnity
- The MDU's 24-hour Freephone Advisory Helpline for assistance with medico-legal issues
- Advice and support with GMC or NHS investigations and disciplinary procedures
- Legal expertise and representation from our in-house claims handlers and lawyers
- Worldwide indemnity for Good Samaritan acts.
Further information
If you have any questions about membership, including subscription rates, please contact our freephone membership helpline on 0800 716 376 (from within the UK) or + 44 20 7202 1500 (outside the UK).
1 Good Medical Practice, May 2001, General Medical Council
2 Subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
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