The new GP contract, launched today, contains, amongst a lot of other information, details of the new State Backed Indemnity Scheme. Here is the information from the BMA sessional GPs subcommittee on this subject, plus the formal guidance document.
New GP contract ‘finally secures indemnity cover’
Dear Dr Shepherd,
The new GP contract has finally cemented the indemnity cover promised by Jeremy Hunt in 2017. This is a huge step for sessional GPs, with many of us working in areas with higher indemnity such as out-of-hours, urgent care and prison work. For salaried doctors this removes the challenges of accessing the indemnity funding that was part of the GP forward view, but was given directly to practices.
For locums it reduces the significant expenses that have been rising year on year, with increases of more than 50% in the last six years. It makes it feasible for portfolio GPs in their late career to continue to work clinical sessions, rather than having to pay for the privilege of working as indemnity costs outstripped pay. Many sessional GPs have been forced to limit the number of days they can work because of huge indemnity costs. With this barrier now removed, it will help stabilise struggling practices across England.
The increased incentives to engage with primary care networks provide sessional GPs with an opportunity to become involved at a local level. I would urge all of you to talk to your local practices about how you can represent salaried, locum, out-of-hours and portfolio GPs.
This contract will provide investment and support for practices. Stable practices provide successful primary care, which benefits everyone.
