The GMC, the GDC and NMC all state that you must make sure that you have adequate and appropriate insurance or indemnity arrangements in place, covering the full scope of your medical practice in the UK.

If you work for an NHS Trust or Board, indemnity is generally provided through the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) in England. This applies even if you are a Locum for an NHS Trust (This, however, doesn’t cover your clinical defence). Read more.

In England, general practitioners (GPs) and their staff are automatically covered by the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP) for clinical negligence liabilities that arise from NHS patient care. Read more.

In Wales, NHS GPs are covered by GMPI. If you are a locum GPs in Wales, you might need to be registered on the All Wales Locum Register (AWLR). Read here for more information.

In Scotland, you must ensure you are covered under CNORIS. Read more.

If you carry out any private or independent practice, you must arrange adequate and appropriate insurance or indemnity (even if this work takes place on NHS or HSC body premises). This applies even if the work is in addition to work you do for an NHS or HSC body. If you are treating NHS patients privately, you must check with your NHS or HSC body employer to confirm that indemnity is in place.

Even if you have MMI, you still need to maintain membership with a Medical Defense Organisation (MDO) to receive help with issues such as patient complaints, regulatory and disciplinary proceedings, employment and contractual disputes.

You will still need to maintain membership with a medical defence body (MDO) and trade union to cover services such as patient complaints, regulatory (GMC) and disciplinary proceedings, employment and contractual disputes.

For more information on the Clinical Negligence Scheme for NHS Trusts and General Practice, refer to the latest GMC guidelines here.