Understanding insurance for doctors prescribing privately
In England, doctors working for NHS trusts and health and social care bodies are provided with indemnity insurance through the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST). Similar arrangements are in place for Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
As medical cannabis in the UK is currently only available privately, doctors working outside of the NHS – often for the first time – have questions about arranging insurance and indemnity which covers this treatment.
The General Medical Council states that doctors working in private practice in the UK must have “adequate and appropriate insurance or indemnity arrangements in place covering the full scope of your medical practice”. This means that even if doctors are working privately within an NHS or health and social care body premises, they must still be covered.
Prof Michael Barnes, Chair of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, said,
“Apart from two specific medications, Sativex and Epidiolex, medical cannabis – along with many other treatments – is at present classed as an unlicensed medicine. Doctors prescribing unlicensed products take full clinical responsibility for any consequences of the prescription and might not be covered by professional indemnity insurance. This is something that causes many clinicians concerns and prevents more widespread prescribing.
Medical cannabis is a safe treatment with often significant benefits and few side effects. Clinicians can be reassured that if they prescribe within the legal parameters, then they are very safe – although they still need insurance cover.”
Are you already insured for private practice?
Suppose you are already working privately with insurance. In that case, it is essential to check with your insurer that the changes in your scope of practice – i.e. starting to prescribe medical cannabis products – is included in your existing coverage. If not, please contact Towergate Insurance to access the Society’s insurance coverage.
Are you looking for specific medical cannabis coverage?
To arrange a policy, please contact Towergate Insurance. You will need to provide the email address you used to register as a Society member, so we can ensure you are eligible.
