In March 2020, following a request by the UK Government, the GMC advised that temporary emergency registration would be provided to retired medical professionals in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In September 2022, they advised that this would be extended until 2024.
The GMC guidance states that the temporary registration they have implemented should only be used to support the response to the pandemic, and will only allow doctors to carry out activities including:
- treating coronavirus (Covid-19) patients, including NHS patients treated in independent sector organisations
- backfilling in routine NHS clinical, or commissioned, services for colleagues who have been moved to treat coronavirus patients
- working flexibly in routine NHS clinical, or commissioned, services to clear backlogs created by the pandemic
- working in other roles linked to the pandemic, including track and trace, NHS 111 services or the vaccination programme.
Further details on this guidance can be found here.
Action needed if you are working with temporary registration with the GMC
MDDUS is keen to continue supporting members assisting with work related to the pandemic. We would require members who plan to continue working with a temporary registration with the GMC to contact MDDUS to let us know if they will be assisting with any of the above activities.
This will enable MDDUS to ensure that members hold a membership grade that reflects their work. Benefits of membership will only be available to those who are in the correct grade of membership for work they are undertaking. If any members were to not update MDDUS, they may not be entitled to assistance if an issue arises.
For those only assisting with Covid vaccinations
We are pleased to advise that we can offer members assisting with the Covid vaccination programme our free-of-charge Covid Vaccinator Support grade.
It is our understanding that claims indemnity will be provided by the state for vaccination work, but we would ask members to please ensure that you have checked their indemnity position prior to commencing this role.
MDDUS membership will provide access to support and expert advice on ethical and legal issues that fall outside state indemnity for claims. This includes assistance with issues such as regulatory (GMC) fitness to practise processes, inquests or fatal accident inquiries, complaints, ombudsman enquiries, and disciplinary processes arising from clinical practice.
If the vaccine work is not covered by state indemnity for claims, and you would like to apply to MDDUS to provide such cover, please get in touch with us right away, before starting this work. Please keep in mind that doctors must have appropriate indemnity or insurance in place for all aspects of work they undertake.
For those undertaking any other clinical work (beyond just vaccinations) on a temporary registration
If you plan on undertaking any other work from the above GMC list of activities available for those with temporary registration, please get in touch with MDDUS right away to provide details of the work you will be doing. We will need to know whether state-provided indemnity for claims is in place for this work. Our membership team will provide you with details of the appropriate membership grade for this work, and the associated cost.
If you undertake any work out with the above GMC list, you will be required to follow GMC processes to reinstate your full registration and licence to practise.
For those no longer working
If you cease working in a medical capacity, please let us know and we can revert your membership to an appropriate status.
Other membership queries
If you have any queries regarding your membership, our membership team will be happy to assist. They can be contacted on 0333 043 0000, or at membership@mddus.com
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.