Surgical procedures require a unique blend of artistry and precision. But, even with all the medical training in the world, you can never prepare for everything – unexpected events can still happen.
Our malpractice insurance is designed to protect you during these unfortunate incidents, offering a safety net to maintain your personal and professional reputation both now and in the future.
Why do surgeons need malpractice insurance?
Whether you perform orthopaedic or cosmetic surgeries, all forms of surgery carry their own risks. That’s why it’s so important to have a malpractice insurance policy that can protect you and your patients should any unforeseen circumstances occur.
Some of the main reasons why surgeons need malpractice insurance include:
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Surgical complications: Even with the most meticulous planning and training, you can never plan for the unexpected and unfortunate events can still happen. When they do, patients may perceive this as negligence and decide to make a claim.
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Informed consent challenges: As a surgeon, you will understand already how important receiving patient consent before performing a procedure is. However, failing to prove this can lead to legal disputes and huge financial implications.
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Post-operative issues: Patients may experience a variety of complications both during and after their surgery, which may lead to claims of malpractice being made against you.
- Having an appropriate form of personal indemnity or corporate indemnity is also compulsory as per The Health Care and Associated Professionals Order 2014.
However, due to the different types of indemnity available, it’s crucial for your cover to be tailored to your specific role as a surgeon.
Our malpractice insurance for surgeons is designed for this exact reason, providing you with the protection and guidance you need to keep performing surgical procedures without the threat of patient litigation.
Which surgical disciplines do THEMIS cover?
At THEMIS, we provide comprehensive insurance policies tailored to your exact role and responsibilities, as well as the stage of your career you’re currently at.
We offer malpractice insurance for all types of surgery, specifically:
- General surgery
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- ENT
- Paediatric Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
- Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery - studies show that orthopaedic surgeons have one of the highest rates of medical malpractice claims made against them.
- Plastic/Cosmetic Surgery - cosmetic surgery may be designed to enhance a patient’s appearance but when the results don’t meet expectations, claims of malpractice may arise. Our malpractice insurance provides tailored protection against the unique challenges of performing these types of procedures.
- Bariatric Surgery - bariatric surgeons play a crucial role in helping patients transform their health and quality of life. However, the complexity of these procedures can sometimes lead to post-operative complications. Our malpractice insurance protects you against this, teaching you effective ways to mitigate your risk.
- Neurosurgery - neurosurgeons need to work incredibly intricately and carry a high risk of complications occurring during procedures. Our neurosurgeon malpractice insurance can be tailored around the exact procedures you perform and the level of experience you have to deliver complete protection.
- Urological Surgery
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
Why choose THEMIS for surgeon malpractice insurance?
Regardless of the type of surgery you perform, our policies are built around you, helping provide you with the support you need, whenever you need it.
By choosing THEMIS for your malpractice insurance, you will receive:
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Exceptional customer service: We understand that receiving a patient claim can be distressing. That’s why our customer service team are always on hand to help you through the process, answering any questions or concerns you might have.
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Tailored coverage: Unlike other forms of indemnity, our policies are contractual and tailored to your exact needs. Through our specialist team of underwriters, we also ensure they are clearly worded so you know exactly what you’re covered for.
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In-house claims handling team: With a THEMIS policy, you will have direct access to our in-house claims handling team, providing you with the trusted support you need should you come up against a malpractice claim.
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Financial peace of mind: Unlike discretionary indemnity, our policies are underwritten by UK insurers who are regulated by both the Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
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Competitive premiums: By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI), our team of underwriters ensure your premium remains truly reflective of your risk as a surgeon, providing you with effective support and risk management resources when required.
- Comprehensive medico-legal support: Our medico-legal helpline covers virtually all concerns associated with surgery – from dealing with patient complaints to NHS-specific matters – and can provide you with confidential guidance whatever the situation might be.
What’s included with THEMIS’ malpractice insurance for surgeons?
As a surgeon, it can be hard to find the time to understand which types of indemnity cover are available. That’s why we aim to make the process as easy as possible, by creating tailored policies that protect you in the way you’d expect.
When you apply for cover with us, you can select exactly what you need as part of your policy. This typically includes:
- Medical malpractice: Claims for clinical negligence, including defence costs.
- MedSurgical assistant cover: Claims for clinical negligence, including defence costs.
- Medico-legal indemnity: Claims arising from the accuracy of medico-legal opinions you have prepared, including defence costs.
- Good Samaritan Acts: Cover for any treatment you administer outside of work, fulfilling your ethical duty to assist in an emergency.
- Regulatory protection: Costs to defend orders, hearings and investigations you must attend, and for attendance at fitness-to-practice hearings.
- Indemnity reinstatement: If a medical malpractice claim is made against you that exhausts the limit of indemnity, we will reinstate it to £10,000,000.
- Run-off cover: Cover after you cease to practice. This can be provided to all policyholders for a period of up to 21 years subject to policy conditions.
- Inquest protection: Costs to prepare a response to a Coroner and to represent you at an inquest, following the death of a patient.
- Medico-legal helpline: Advice to help you manage day-to-day issues you may encounter in your practice, such as complaints handling.
- Medical manslaughter protection: Costs to represent you about a clinical or gross negligence manslaughter prosecution.
- Reputation crisis management: PR and legal costs to respond to a public event that could damage your reputation and result in clinical negligence claims.
- Data Liability Protection: Defence costs, regulatory fines, or sums ordered to pay as a result of a breach of the Data Protection Act 2018, arising from medical records data you are responsible for storing.
- Cover for discretionary indemnity: Cover for claims declined by your discretionary provider subject to the terms of your policy.
- Employment protection: Legal costs to assist with disputes in respect of practising privileges, employment contracts, or hearings or tribunals.
For further information about our malpractice insurance for surgeons, simply contact our team.
We’d be more than happy to help answer any queries you have and, if required, review the terms of your existing indemnity.
