Vaughan Gething Minister for Health and Social Services
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
In May 2018, I announced the Welsh Government will be establishing a state backed scheme from April 2019 to provide clinical negligence indemnity for providers of GP services in Wales. In November 2018 I announced Shared Service Partnership - Legal and Risk Services as the preferred partner to operate the state backed scheme for GPs in Wales in relation to clinical negligence claims arising from April 2019 (known as the Future Liabilities Scheme). I confirmed that a final decision on the delivery of the scheme would be made following further engagement with medical defence organisations and our other stakeholders.
Following subsequent engagement with medical defence organisations and our other stakeholders, I have decided that NHS Wales Shared Service Partnership - Legal and Risk Services will operate the state backed scheme for GPs in Wales in relation to clinical negligence claims arising from 1 April 2019.
NHS Wales Shared Service Partnership - Legal and Risk Services is best placed to support the strategic primary models of care in Wales that align with the vision set out in A Healthier Wales: our Plan for Health and Social Care, and the national primary care plan for Wales. NHS Wales Shared Service Partnership - Legal and Risk Services will identify shared learning in relation to GP clinical negligence claims which will build on the shared learning process currently embedded in the Wales secondary care scheme aimed at reducing the frequency of claims and improving the quality of care and patient safety. The decision for NHS Wales Shared Service Partnership - Legal and Risk Services to operate the state backed scheme for GPs in Wales has strong support from GPC Wales and NHS Wales.
Our engagement with the medical defence organisations and GPs has identified where collaboration and coordination with medical defence organisations is required given the indemnity cover medical defence organisations will continue to provide for GPs. These include a single point of contact, cross border claims, GMC hearing issues; GP guidance and support, including medico-legal advice. NHS Wales Shared Service Partnership - Legal and Risk Services are engaging with the medical defence organisations and GPs on these important issues to ensure GPs will continue to have a high quality service, with a strong and clear interface with medical defence organisations.
Welsh Government remains committed to working closely with the medical defence organisations and key stakeholders to ensure that GPs in Wales have a scheme which protects their professional reputation and delivers sustainable and accessible healthcare.
I will provide a further Written Statement on progress made in relation to discussions with the medical defence organisations covering clinical negligence claims which have arisen before April 2019 (known as the Existing Liabilities Scheme) in due course.