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Our plans for Consultants and Associate Specialists are based on your grade, not your specialty. Choose between our Clinical Defence plan, for essential legal, regulatory and medico-legal support, or our Employment Support plan, providing union-grade support and representation just for you. For complete peace of mind, choose our Comprehensive Plan, which includes both services and a big saving.
Do you perform Category 2 NHS work? Our Clinical and Comprehensive plans for Consultants and Associate Specialists automatically include insurance-backed cover for Cat. 2 Work income of up to £1000, or let us know if you require more, we can add it for a small additional cost.
We can often accommodate unusual work patterns and complex working arrangements, just call us to discuss your unique requirements and for a personalised quote.
For professional defence against patient complaints and regulatory matters.
Professional Disciplinary Defence
This includes advice and representation in proceedings before a regulatory body (GMC/GDC/NMC/HCPC).
Professional Defence against Patient Complaints
Assistance with responding to patient complaints and with any formal investigations into complaints.
Assistance with acting as a witness for your employer in coroner inquest proceedings.
Assistance with any matter arising from clinical work, subject to criminal investigation or proceedings (subject to discretion).
Advice in Professional issues
Confidentiality
Ethical Issues
Medico Legal Practice
Advice and Representation in Performers List issues for GPs
Representation for trainees in ARCP appeals and in Performers List issues.
Worldwide Good Samaritan cover
Indemnity for NHS Category 2 work
For advice and representation in issues related to employment.
Advice regarding Terms & Conditions of service
Employment contracts
Professional issues
Advice and representation in grievance procedures
Involving a dispute about terms and conditions of employment including remuneration.
Involving a complaint of bullying, harassment or discrimination.
Advice and representation in the employer disciplinary process, including performance and capability processes
Including the equivalent process of providers of contract for the provision of services (such as CCGs, private hospitals, NHS Hospital Trusts etc). This includes defence in a disciplinary process resulting from complaints from patients, employees or colleagues.
Representation in member’s legal action arising out of employment
Including where a member is contracted to provide professional service.
The MDS Comprehensive plan and the Clinical Defence plan automatically include an insurance backed cover for NHS Category 2 work for gross income up to £5,000 per annum for GPs and £1,000 per annum for hospital doctors.
If your gross annual income from Category 2 work exceeds the above, contact us to upgrade your cover.
Category 2 work is non-contractual work, done as part of your employment and is therefore not covered under NHS Crown Indemnity. This includes fee paying work
undertaken to provide additional services such as the below:
Hospital Doctors: Coroners reports, police statements, medical certificates, cremation forms, reports requested by courts.
Psychiatrists: Section 12 (Mental Health Act) and DoLS assessments.
General Practitioners: Examinations and reports required by a person or third party primarily to serve the interests of the person, his or her employer or other third party, in non-clinical contexts such as insurance, DVLA, superannuation, foreign travel or emigration – only if done for patients on the practice list. This does not include any private procedures which do not form part of the standard NHS contracted service.
Public Health Doctors: work done for local authorities, vaccinations.
Important: Category 2 cover does not include private practice and/or medico-legal reporting or expert reports commissioned on a private basis. If you are undertaking any private practice or work that is not covered under NHS Indemnity or Category 2, please be advised that you will require additional indemnity/medical malpractice insurance to cover the full scope of your practice. Contact us to obtain a tailored quote.
Includes clinical defence and employment support.
Includes indemnity for category 2 work. It does not include employment support.
This does not include clinical defence or indemnity for category 2 work.
*The subscription prices are indicative and may be subject to change based on an assessment of your application.
I have been very impressed with the level of support and advice from the MDS legal team. This has even exceeded my expectations. I can’t recommend MDS enough.
Consultant
Yes, we offer a number of introductory discounts for our partners:
International Medical Graduates on their first NHS placement can apply to receive the first three months their first MDS membership for free.
BAPIO members receive 10% off their first year MDS membership and 5% in their second year.
BINA members can apply to receive the first three months of their first MDS membership for free.
We also offer referral schemes:
MDS members that refer a friend to MDS receive a £20 voucher when they join. Please remind them to mention your full mane when applying.
And we offer a 25% discount for members working 50% or less than full time work.
Terms and conditions apply to all our offers and discounts. Please contact [email protected] for more details.
We accept Debit and Credit Card payments, and BACS. If you prefer to spread the cost of your membership, we offer Direct Debit option for 12 months at no additional cost.
Applications are normally processed within two working days and upon receipt of requested documents for review.
This may include a letter of good standing (LGS) with full claims history from your previous defence body or insurer.
All cancellation requests must be made in writing to [email protected]. We are afraid we cannot accept requests made over the phone or through other mediums.
We offer a grace period of 14 days after joining and at the point of renewal, during which it is possible to cancel with no fees or requirement to complete the annual plan.
Past these 14 days periods, members are no longer allowed to cancel and must complete payment for the rest/entirety of the plan (12 months).
We do not offer in-year cancellations or pro-rata refunds.
Our all round membership protects Consultants if something goes wrong in your clinical practice and faces complaints, claims, or investigations. The membership covers clinical medical defence support and employment support. All round protection for your career, at all stages.
24/7 Emergency Line > Webinars Programme > CPD Points > Discounted rates for partners and IMGs > Free contract checking service.
