Our latest webinar featuring MIAB Medical Malpractice manager, Monty Bill, covered a roadmap of changes to the NHS GP Contract for 2025/26. Changes are set to take place throughout the next two years that can help smooth service delivery models and bring in additional funding to practices and Primary Care Networks (PCN’s) alike.
Please find a link to the webinar here: https://youtu.be/eE9nvGhUjTU?si=l_vnlhzdScErJZ4Q
Whether your Practice Insurance has renewed already this year or not, it may be beneficial to make note of any changes happening within your organisations. As the approved provider for the LMC (Local Medical Committee Buying Group Federation), our specialist insurance healthcare Advisers are here to provide expert advice which will help protect you and your team from risks. For your next insurance review, discussing changes made to your practice in the following areas will ensure you and your team are being adequately covered.
Annual Turnover and Changes to Sums Insured
Your surgery is the hub for healthcare and is most probably the area which could be most affected by use of additional income. Where your practice’s annual turnover might increase or fluctuate, let your insurance broker know. Increased annual turnover can affect the cost of any Business Interruption claim payouts if they have not been updated. Likewise, it will be prudent to check that you are adequately insured where you have added new contents or equipment. This can lead to a shortfall of compensation and affect the level of service you can provide to patients in the event of a claim.
It has been noted that there will be increase in the NHS Accident & Sickness government reimbursement scheme so you may need to check any existing Business Overheads or Locum Cover which you have in place. Similarly, if you are employing more staff you might wish to also amend your existing cover.
Employment Changes
Particularly within the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), the government is set to increase funding. An increase in staff members can affect multiple areas of cover depending on what policies you have in place. You may require specialist, cover above and beyond that of a standard surgery insurance to plug any gaps in your exposure. This could affect your Employers and Public Liability or require additional covers such as Professional Indemnity or Management Liability if you are an entity who is responsible for overseeing contracts and employment of staff.
Where you are a Primary Care Network which is a limited company then we do recommend our PCN package insurance.
Greater funding could result in structural changes or contract changes which could impact your organisation. Issues could arise from the day to day running of your business, things which are not treatment related and matters can arise quickly. Evidently there will be changes to process, staffing, legislation therefore any allegations of wrongdoing can result in a claim. This can come from regulators, patients, suppliers or employers. Any changes that could be considered high risk, for example changes in staff who perform enhanced services or have third party relationships outside the practice, MIAB offers dedicated insurance packages to help protect decision makers or those in a position of responsibility in this process.
Please find our direct line to discuss Medical Malpractice and PCN insurance: 01438 547044.
Digitalisation
Healthcare has become heavily reliant upon IT in recent years. With the change in service delivery models and a general direction toward digitalisation, cyber incidents might pose a greater threat to your vital patient data. We are aware that 58% of practice’s have suffered a data breach in some shape or form (1). It is key to understand the NHS are the data owner the healthcare provider are the data processor so will still have multiple responsibilities under GDPR. It is believed that there will be an October 2025 introduction of GP appointment booking via utilisation of online consultation tools. Other medical devices can also be used to hack into your system and prevent medical personnel from operating them when they need to.
Cyber incidents vary from data breaches, attacks, fraudulent activity and E-crime. Increased reliance on digital assets for a practice to perform day-to-day activities can create high pressure to restore services quickly in the event of an incident. This can leave them vulnerable to ransomware attacks.
With a Cyber Liability policy from MIAB, you will benefit from legal services & defence costs, incident response, breach resolutions, payment fines and expert advice. You can discuss preferred levels of cover to bring peace of mind about some of these risks mentioned.
Whilst these aren’t the only changes a PCN or Practice manager might see in relation to the GP Contract changes, it is best to discuss any concerns about underinsurance with an Insurance Adviser. A MIAB adviser will be able to indicate areas that may need additional cover and provide you a no-obligation quote.
Book an appointment https://outlook.office365.com/book/MIABCommercial@lloydandwhytegroup.com/?RefID=GPWeb
