Written question asked by Lord Harper (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 October 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 October 2007. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Monday, 29 October 2007 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Health Professions: Insurance

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to health trusts on arrangements to be made between trusts on individual healthcare practitioners' insurance liability when working on collaborative projects.

Answer: The Department has not issued specific guidance to national health service trusts on arrangements to be made between trusts on individual healthcare practitioner's insurance liability when working on collaborative projects.NHS bodies are vicariously liable for the negligent acts (and omissions) of their employees made during the course of their employment. An individual practitioner operating under a contract of employment with an NHS trust is covered by the indemnity of that trust. The NHS Litigation Authority provides indemnity to trusts through the schemes that it administers on behalf of the Secretary of State. These schemes pool the costs of any loss of or damage to property and liabilities to third parties for loss, damage or injury arising out of the carrying out of an NHS body's functions.

Secondary information