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Non-Clinical FAQs for Covid-19

This is a list of questions that are frequently asked by GPs and practice staff, with responses where possible to the non-clinical queries and issues you face in the current emergency. It will be updated regularly, for clinical issues please see our clinical guide, which is at the top of our main Covid-19 resources page.

Index

Workload issues

• Data subject access requests and freedom of information requests
  
  

Indemnity

• Additional sessions
• Clinical negligence claims

GP and practice finances/payments

• Death in service benefits for sessional, salaried and freelance GPs

 

Workload issues

Data subject access requests and freedom of information requests

Updated 19.01.21

Q. I have received a data subject access request (DSAR) or freedom of information request (FoI), do I have to respond given the current pressures on my practice?

A. Please see our guidance and template letter to use in responding to DSARs, which also includes current advice from the ICO on enforcement of FoI requirements during the coronavirus outbreak.

Indemnity

Additional sessions

Updated 19.01.2021

Q. What is the stance of the MDOs pertaining to GPs who are working increased sessions due to the Covid-19 pandemic?

A. Individual MDO positions are below:

MPS state:

"We are happy that GPs do not need to update their practice details during this period to reflect increased work related to the COVID-19 response. We do not require state indemnified GPs to tell us about any increase in their state-indemnified work-oad during this time and we will not charge them any more for their professional protection."

MPS - Coronavirus questions and answers

MDDUS state:

"...know that counting hours and sessions will be one of the last things on your mind as you respond to the emergency. So we will enable retrospective adjustments where you either cannot sensibly forecast your workload or it varies suddenly and unexpectedly"

MDDUS CEO Chris Kenny reassures members on COVID-19 response

MDU state:

NHS work will be covered by NHS indemnity. You need to tell us details of the additional work you will be doing, just email membership@themdu.com or call us on 0800 716 376.

MDU - Frequently asked questions

 

Clinical negligence claims

Updated 19.01.2021

The Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP) provides comprehensive indemnity for clinical negligence liabilities arising in NHS general practice in relation to incidents that occur on or after 1 April 2019.

All providers of NHS primary medical services will be covered under CNSGP – further details as to the nature and extent of the scheme can be found at the following link:

CNSGP – What is in, what is out and who do I approach for help?

The cover is not dependent on sessions worked and GPs should be reassured of assistance from the scheme in relation to claims arising from the provision of NHS primary medical services.

The CNSGP provides indemnity in relation to clinical negligence liabilities arising in the NHS general practice setting but does not extend to non-claims liabilities (which include but are not limited to complaints, GMC/NMC investigations, NHS England investigations, criminal investigations [arising out of the provision of clinical care] and inquests) or liabilities relating to private work hence GPs will need to remain in the appropriate category of membership of a medical defence organisation (or equivalent) to provide cover for these liabilities.

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GP and practice finances/payments

NHS pension scheme’s death in service benefit guide for sessional GPs (sessional, salaried and freelance locum)

Q. I work as a locum GP and am concerned about terms and conditions and pension arrangements, including death in service benefits,  whilst working during the COVID-19 crisis situations. Do you have any information that you can share on this?

A. Dr Krishan Aggarwal, Vice Chair, Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster LMC, has produced a mini guide on the Death in Service Benefit (DiS) within the NHS scheme. This covers what DiS offers, what locums receive when not in service and three workarounds for locums in order to be able to achieve DiS benefit.

 

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Last updated : 19 Jan 2021

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