GUILD OF HEALTHCARE PHARMACISTS-UNITE

Unite Professional Liability Scheme

The Guild’s view on professional liability arrangements has always been that, if a pharmacist works only in hospital, s/he is covered by their NHS employer’s vicarious liability arrangements.  That, together with membership of a union, to ensure the employer acts correctly towards an employee who has made a genuine error, should be sufficient cover.  The documents describing the arrangements in England, Scotland and Wales can be found on the Unite Health Sector website.  These include statements that the employer will not seek to recover damages from the employee involved in an incident.  The situation in Northern Ireland is slightly different: there is a scheme for employers’ liability but it does NOT include a similar statement.  The basic position of the Guild remains unchanged.

However, we accept that, in reality, many pharmacists have felt pressurised into taking out their own professional liability insurance through influences from various quarters.  Many pharmacists employed in the NHS work extra hours in community pharmacy and a significant number are employed part time in both hospital and community pharmacy.  NHS employers’ liability will not cover work in community pharmacy and although community pharmacy employers must have their own employer’s vicarious liability arrangements, whether or not the employer will seek to recover damages from the employee is not clear cut.

To meet members’ requests, not only in pharmacy, but for other health professional members of Unite, a professional liability scheme is available at a cost of £15 a year in addition to the normal Unite subscription of £119.40 a year (or £9.95 a month).

The full policy plus application form is on the Unite Health Sector website.

This includes cover for extended roles such as supplementary and independent prescribing.  However, the pharmacist must be employed for the cover to be valid.

Jean Curtis
Professional Secretary
Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists

June 2008

Professional Liability Insurance: Questions and Answers

Is this not a change in GHP policy?

This is not a change in basic GHP policy in that employees remain covered by NHS Employers Vicarious Liability for work undertaken on behalf of the employer, so there remains no need for employees to obtain additional PLI. The position is quite clear in England, Scotland and Wales.  Guidance has been issued which provides a written assurance that employers will not seek to recover any damages from the employee as a result of a civil claim.  The documents are available on the health sector web site www.amicustheunion.org under health sector.  The position in NI is less clear as there are only verbal assurances.

In addition membership of Unite, the only recognised Trade Union for NHS pharmacists, provides workplace representation should any employer seek redress through disciplinary processes or by other means.

So why have GHP sought a policy?

There was a lot of concern amongst members especially those with multiple employers, those undertaking new and expanded roles (such as both supplementary and independent prescribing) as part of their contract and ambiguity about how requirements by regulators for professional indemnity arrangements should be met.  The option of this policy shows Unite have listened and the price of £15 per year reflects the market’s estimation of the additional risks.

What is covered?

The policy provides cover against legal liability in respect of claims for breach of professional duty consequent upon any neglect, error or omission in providing advice, treatment or prescriptions in the course of the business anywhere in the world except USA/Canada where the person concerned is competent and qualified to undertake the duties.  The policy also covers duties undertaken outside the course of employment so long as the member is not carrying them out in a self-employed capacity.  These could include for example unpaid professional work or assisting at a roadside accident.

What is covered by membership of GHP if I choose not to take out the policy?

As an individual, you retain the rights that come with Trade Union membership of Unite - including representation in the workplace for Disciplinary and Grievance Issues, Sickness procedures, Organisational Change and internal inquiries. This will continue through to Employment Tribunals for disputes that cannot be resolved with the employer, continued representation to the regulator’s disciplinary processes for practice undertaken during employment, and if working within the NHS the civil liability arrangements under the appropriate national civil negligence schemes.

Collectively, the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists, through Unite will continue to negotiate on pay, and terms and conditions for pharmacists including submissions to the Pay Review Body.  As a member, you will have a say through democratically constituted ballots.

Do I have to pay the extra £15?

The policy in its first year will be an opt-in policy but based on experience with other groups in Unite we expect to move to an opt-out option (similar to the political levy process) in future years.

What about other Unite Healthcare Professionals?

A number of professional groups in Unite, such as Theatre Practitioners and Health Visitors already had additional Professional Liability arrangements and while GHP led on this area it will be available to all Health Professional members within the Health Sector including Community Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians.

What are the additional benefits from the policy?

The policy provides public and products liability cover for all employees both within and outside the NHS including locum work undertaken through an agency of up to £3 million.   In addition at the request of GHP, based on existing cases, a number of features have been specifically incorporated and clarified these include

1.      Cost of legal representation at a coroner’s inquest or inquiry in respect of any death.

2.      The cost of defence of any criminal proceedings brought or in appeal against the Pharmacist for an offence of criminal manslaughter.

3.      Proceedings in any court arising out of any alleged breach of statutory duty, (including Corporate Manslaughter).

What if you are a PRESCRIBER do you have to pay extra?

All pharmacists registered and recognised by their employers as prescribers are covered by the policy.  As previously GHP would advise that all duties are listed in the individual’s job description and policies are in place to support non-medical prescribing.

Are there criteria for cover?

The policy will automatically cover members both within and outside the NHS provided they meet the following criteria

1)      They are qualified to undertake the work in question and where required have been assessed for that competency by the employing organisation.

2)      The member acknowledges their own competence in this area of work and is working within their scope of practice.

3)      They adhere to the RPSGB Code of Ethics.

4)      The employer has acknowledged that the work is part of the healthcare professionals role and is within their scope of practice.

What are the limits of the cover?

The cover limits are

                                    Public and Products Liability:                        £3,000,000

                                    Legal Defence Costs:                          £250,000

Who is providing the cover?

The policy is underwritten by Royal Sun Alliance and the terms have been negotiated by the specialist Pharmaceutical & Healthcare division of Heath Lambert Group – Unite’s insurance brokers.  Full details of the policy can be obtained are on the health sector web site as above.

Issued July 2008