GP indemnity: development of state-backed scheme for England

Department of Health will work with GP representatives on how a scheme could work.

The government is planning to develop a state-backed indemnity scheme for GPs, to protect them from the costs of clinical negligence claims, subject to further work on relevant issues.

Our ambition is to provide a more stable and affordable system for GPs. The scheme could provide financially sustainable cover for claims arising from the delivery of NHS services.

We have been working with the 4 medical defence organisations that currently provide indemnity cover to GPs and with GPs on how a state-backed scheme could work. Any new scheme should:

• meet the needs of current and future GPs
• be in the interest of patients
• represent value for money for taxpayers

We will discuss urgently with GP representatives how best to engage with the sector. The scheme will need careful negotiation and will take at least 12 to 18 months to establish. GPs should continue to make sure they have appropriate indemnity cover, in line with General Medical Council (GMC) requirements, to enable them to practise.

See the indemnity in general practice factsheet for more information.

Read the written ministerial statement.