PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release: Thursday, 28 September 2017
The UK’s fasting growing GP defence organisation MDDUS is pleased to support NHS England’s GP winter indemnity scheme for the third consecutive year, ensuring patients enhanced access to primary care services 24/7 over the winter months.
The scheme has been developed in conjunction with medical defence organisations, including MDDUS, and is designed to meet the costs of indemnifying additional GP OOH and unscheduled care sessions. The government has pledged £10 million to fund the scheme that will run between 1 October 2017 and 2 April 2018.
MDDUS Director of Development David Sturgeon said: “We welcome the NHS England announcement and are pleased to be contributing to sensible, pragmatic solutions for our GPs allowing them the ability to provide additional capacity to ease the strain on the NHS in England this winter.
“The scheme has had a positive effect in previous years and last winter over 280 MDDUS members providing in excess of 11,000 sessions to out of hours and unscheduled care services.
“We would encourage our GP members wanting to access the scheme to check with their local OOH/unscheduled care provider to determine what additional shift cover is required and then sign up for the scheme on the MDDUS website.
“You will then be able to add these additional sessions to your current membership with payment being made directly to MDDUS by NHS England.
“The scheme is designed to meet the costs of indemnifying additional OOH and unscheduled care work this winter and does not apply to pre-existing indemnity arrangements.”
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For further information contact Richard Hendry on 07976 272266, or email rihendry@mddus.com.
Note to editors
MDDUS (The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland) is a medical and dental defence organisation providing access to professional indemnity and expert medico- and dento-legal advice for doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals throughout the UK.
This page was correct at the time of publication. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.