Nurses may need individual PI insurance

by Gill Montia

Story link: Nurses may need individual PI insurance

The Nursing Times has reported that new government proposals could mean that all nurses and midwives will need professional indemnity (PI) insurance in place before they can register to practise.

The magazine is warning that nurses and midwives may therefore eventually have to pay for the own insurance, as is the case with their doctor and consultant colleagues.

According to the report, a draft consultation document on the proposals has already been drawn up but publication has been delayed because of concerns raised by professional nursing bodies and trade union, Unison.

Stakeholders are fearful that the new proposals could lead to a shift in liability in clinical negligence cases, with the floodgates opened in terms of claims against individual nurses.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council has confirmed it is aware that in the long-term, the Department of Health wants all healthcare professionals to have professional indemnity cover in place prior to registration.

The Nursing Times estimates the cost of the cover for nurses and midwives at up £500 a year.