Written question asked by Andrew Hunter (Independent Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 June 2003. It was answered by David Lammy (Labour) on Monday, 9 June 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take measures to ensure that commercial providers of clinical indemnity to UK doctors and dentists are required to provide indemnity on an insured and regulated basis. (Holding answer 3 June 2003).

Answer: Mr. Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take measures to ensure that commercial providers of clinical indemnity to UK doctors and dentists are required to provide indemnity on an insured and regulated basis. [115900] Mr. Lammy [holding answer 3 June 2003]: Professional indemnity should ensure that patients who have suffered harm receive the compensation to which they are entitled. Indemnity cover should be occurrence based; that is, claims are met that arise from events which occurred when the clinician was covered but only later come to light, even if this is after the period of cover has ceased. Experience in the United Kingdom is that proper indemnity cover can be provided through membership of a defence society or a suitable insurance policy.

Secondary information