Which cover will I need?
GP Practice based pharmacists are working with the most exposure to the clinical and diagnostic environment in primary care; an area most accustomed to large civil claims for compensation. On April 1st 2019, in England and Wales only, prompted by the very expensive costs of GP Defence Association membership which the government was ultimately having to fund, the government introduced a State Backed indemnity scheme for GP practice (CNSGP).
This scheme will cost the government less because unlike Defence Association membership, it has not been designed to defend the reputation of healthcare professionals or support them in wider proceedings in an error or omission situation. Instead it has been designed primarily to settle compensation claims made to patients by the NHS and it does not provide any medico-legal protection for the individual practitioner.
Importantly, the perils not covered by the State Backed Scheme, are the ones that pharmacists are far more likely to face than what the scheme is designed to cover; which is a claim for compensation, and this is why pharmacists are being urged by the NHS to maintain their Defence Association membership.
Some pharmacists are concerned that the CNSGP which is operated by NHS Resolution (which has a public interest requirement placed upon it), has to abide by its scheme rules. These state that, in the event that it handles a claim involving a pharmacist, it may have to disclose any information that it receives in the process to the GPhC, other relevant regulators or to anyone required to manage the NHS performance list regulations.
In light of these issues, some pharmacists may feel more secure continuing their full and comprehensive PDA membership in preference to relying upon the CNSGP and our wrap-around schemes. Full PDA membership will provide totally independent protection and place defence of their reputation at the heart of indemnity arrangements.
The PDA is therefore offering a choice of three types of membership to GP practice-based pharmacists.
What is Run Off cover? CNSGP Exclusions Frequently Asked Questions