New system could see nurses pay for own insurance
All nurses and midwives may be required to have professional indemnity insurance to practise under new government proposals.
This could result in a system where they have to pay for their own insurance, in the same way as doctors currently have to in the UK.
A draft consultation document on the proposals was due to be published last week, but was postponed following a meeting between health officials and the nursing and trade union managers.
Premiums could be as much as £500 a year and could open the floodgates to claims against individuals.
A spokesman for the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) said: “We are aware that it is the long-term intention of the Department of Health to make professional indemnity insurance a requirement of registration for all healthcare professionals, including nurses and midwives. The NMC will not be commenting further until we have had the opportunity over the next few months to discuss any issues arising from any future consultation with the department and our stakeholders.”
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