Do I need additional/different indemnity to practice as a private GP?

Ensuring appropriate cover

When starting out as a private GP, ensuring your indemnity fully covers your services is vital for compliance and peace of mind. There are several important steps you should follow to ensure you have the right cover.

Do:

Determine your services: Before anything else, decide on the services you plan to offer. This is crucial because your indemnity should cover every service you provide, ensuring you're protected across the board.

Choose your business structure: Are you going to operate as a sole trader, become an employee, or form part of an LLP? Each has different implications for your indemnity cover.

Engage with insurers: A discussion with your insurers needs to be one of your first steps. They can provide clarity on the cover you need and make sure your policy suits your role in private general practice.

Don’t:

Assume coverage without confirmation: Never assume your existing cover is adequate without checking. Private practice differs significantly from NHS roles, often requiring unique indemnity arrangements.

Skip contacting insurers: Avoid rushing into private practice without a confirmed indemnity. It's in your best interest to make sure all potential risks are covered in advance.

What is indemnity?

Indemnity insurance is essential as it protects against potential losses or legal liabilities that could arise during your practice. The General Medical Council (GMC) mandates that all practitioners must have adequate indemnity cover, making it a non-negotiable aspect of your professional setup.

“Making sure you have the correct indemnity insurance is vital before you start any private work. It gives me peace of mind knowing that I am covered if anything goes wrong and have access to support and advice when I need.”
- Private GP

What cover do I need?

Working as a private GP often involves services outside the NHS framework. As a result, you’ll likely need additional or entirely different indemnity cover in these situations, even if you are balancing an NHS role alongside. Furthermore, if you're establishing your own private practice and employ other GPs, you will need to decide if they're covered under a collective policy or if they must seek their own cover.

Resources & Support

For private GPs looking for seamless integration with NHS practices or managing both NHS and private work, EMIS Web provides a reliable electronic healthcare record solution, enabling safer and more efficient patient care. Moreover, consider using Hero Health for streamlined patient engagement, which can simplify bookings, communication, and billing processes.

To learn more about where to get indemnity for private GPs, you can visit articles like “Where should I get private GP indemnity?”