New move to stem doctor ‘brain drain’
GPS are set to benefit from a statebacked clinical negligence indemnity scheme which aims to encourage disillusioned doctors to continue working in the Welsh NHS.
The move has been described by leading medics as an “important step” towards sustaining general practice in Wales and bringing the country in line with measures introduced in England last autumn.
Rising professional indemnity costs have been a major concern for primary care professionals in recent years and are seen as a barrier to offering quality care to patients.
Health Secretary Vaughan Gething says the new scheme, which will be introduced in April 2019, proves he has listened to Welsh doctors’ concerns and acted upon them.
He said: “We understand the impact that rising professional indemnity costs is having on the workforce and the potential for future pressure if different indemnity practices were in place in England and Wales.
“We’ve contributed towards the increasing indemnity costs through the annual uplift in GP pay and expenses since 2017, but today we are going further by responding to GPs’ concerns with a long-term and sustainable solution.”
THE Welsh Government is set to introduce a statebacked scheme to provide clinical negligence indemnity for GPs in Wales.
The scheme, which is planned to come into force from April 2019, will cover all contracted GPs and other health professionals working in NHS general practice.
The move comes following concerns about increasing indemnity costs which could potentially drive GPs away from the profession, resulting in an impact on services.
The scheme, which will be aligned as far as possible to the state-backed scheme announced in England, will ensure that GPs in Wales are not at a disadvantage relative to GPs in England and that GP recruitment and crossborder activity will not be adversely affected by different schemes operating in England and Wales.
Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said: “We have listened to GPs’ concerns. We understand the impact that rising professional indemnity costs is having on the workforce and the potential for future pressure if different indemnity practices were in place in England and Wales.
“We’ve contributed towards the increasing indemnity costs through the annual uplift in GP pay and expenses since 2017, but today we are going further by responding to GPs’ concerns with a long-term and sustainable solution.
“This further demonstrates our commitment to invest in primary care in Wales and attract more GPs to work in Wales, helping us to make sure our health service is sustainable in the long term.
“I hope today’s announcement gives reassurance to our hardworking GP workforce.”
Dr Charlotte Jones, chairwoman of BMA Cymru Wales’ GP Committee (GPC Wales), and deputy chair Dr Peter HorvathHoward said: “GPC Wales is very positive that the move towards a state-backed indemnity system for all GPs in Wales represents a very important step towards increasing the sustainability of general practice in Wales by addressing this significant cost pressure on GPs.
“It is reassuring to hear that the scheme will cover the wider practice clinical team, and will ensure that any vicarious liabilities GP partners have with the wider multi-disciplinary teams working across clusters is covered.
“We look forward to working through the details with Welsh Government, who have clearly recognised the need for action on this complex issue.”
Dr Rebecca Payne, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs in Wales, said: “RCGP Wales is delighted that the concerns of Welsh GPs have been acted upon and that the Welsh Government will take steps to ensure that Welsh GPs will benefit from a state-backed indemnity scheme.
“This announcement means Welsh GPs won’t be disadvantaged as a result of the English announcement last autumn. The college has been working with the BMA and NHS England for a solution across the border.
“We have long called for action on indemnity through our Transform campaign document and our recent lobbying activity of AMs.
“Real credit goes to GPs who have consistently highlighted how excessive and inflexible indemnity arrangements are limiting their availability to care for patients.
“It is crucial to get the detail right and we would be happy to work alongside Welsh Government, BMA Cymru and other stakeholders to ensure this announcement leads to positive change on the ground.”