Protect yourself with a policy tailored to you
Working as a neurosurgeon involves intricate manoeuvres and critical decision-making. However, even with the steadiest hand and all the experience in the world, mistakes may happen, complications can arise and patients can be left dissatisfied, injured or worse.
Neurosurgeon malpractice insurance is there to protect you when you need it most. Designed to provide you with complete peace of mind, this insurance will offer the financial protection and legal support you need should you ever receive a claim of alleged negligence or malpractice.
Why do neurosurgeons need malpractice insurance?
Neurosurgery encompasses a wide array of procedures – ranging from delicate brain surgeries to complex spinal interventions – and each operation you perform carries its own set of risks. For instance:
- Misdiagnosis: Many neurological conditions can often present with vague or overlapping symptoms, making it difficult to make accurate diagnoses. This can potentially lead to patients receiving either delayed or incorrect treatment.
- Informed consent issues Neurosurgical procedures can involve significant risks. Ensuring your patients fully understand these risks and provide informed consent is essential.
- Surgical complications: Despite all the pre-planning in the world, performing neurosurgical procedures may lead to unforeseen complications. And while these may be inherent risks of the procedure, patients may perceive them as medical negligence.
Given the risks involved with neurosurgery, specialist malpractice insurance is not just advisable – it’s essential.
Having a policy that’s built around you will not only protect you against any potential liabilities but also provide you with the peace of mind you need to keep delivering optimal care to patients.
Is it compulsory to have neurosurgeon liability insurance?
In compliance with The Health Care and Associated Professionals Order 2014, all regulated healthcare professionals are required to have a form of personal indemnity or corporate clinical indemnity coverage.
However, since indemnity is available in various forms, it’s important to make sure you are protected for the specific responsibilities and procedures you perform as a neurosurgeon.
The General Medical Council’s Good Medical Practice 2024 guide states the need to regularly review your policy to ensure your coverage is “appropriate” and tailored to your role.
In other words, just because you have an existing indemnity policy in place already, you might not be protected in the way you think. So it’s important to review the terms of your policy to make sure it moves with you throughout your career.
What types of malpractice insurance are there?
Malpractice insurance for neurosurgeons comes in two primary forms: discretionary and contractual. Understanding the differences between these forms is crucial.
Discretionary indemnity: This is provided by medical defence organisations (MDOs) and is operated on a case-by-case basis. This means that, in the event of a claim, it is up to the provider to decide whether to defend you or not. Providers also aren’t regulated by either the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) meaning you have no way of knowing whether they have the resources to cover you.
Contractual indemnity: As its name suggests, contractual indemnity is an explicit form of protection underwritten by an insurance agreement. This means that, in the event of a claim, as long as it falls within the terms of your policy, you will be covered. Contractual policies also outline specific terms and conditions, including coverage limits, exclusions and claims processes, providing you with clearly worded coverage you can trust.
You can learn more about clinical indemnity for neurosurgeons in our comprehensive guide. Alternatively, take a look at our dedicated malpractice insurance for surgeons page to learn more about our tailored policies.
Why choose THEMIS for neurosurgeon malpractice insurance?
At THEMIS, we specialise in providing tailored malpractice insurance solutions to neurosurgeons. We recognise that working as a neurosurgeon means you either don’t have the time or are simply unaware of the different types of cover that are available.
That’s why we make it as easy as possible for you to create a tailored policy that works exactly as needed. Here’s what we provide:
Specialised expertise within neurosurgery: With extensive experience dealing with neurosurgery-related claims, our specialist team can provide expert support and guidance to help with claims handling processes and ongoing risk management.
Clear and transparent policies: We believe in transparent policies that you can understand. That’s why we provide clearly worded, concise policy documents that clearly outline your coverage’s terms, limits and exclusions.
Day-to-day support: Our extensive medico-legal helpline covers virtually all concerns you may encounter on a daily basis and is available for you to use as a policyholder without impacting your claims record. Through this system, you can quickly address any inquiries, concerns or questions you might have.
Regulatory compliance: Offered on a contractual basis, our policies adhere to the highest regulatory standards. By choosing us, you will receive compliant and reliable coverage that not only meets industry best practices but surpasses them.
Tailored coverage: We understand that every neurosurgeon is unique, which is why we offer customisable coverage tailored to your individual needs and preferences. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or newly qualified, we have an insurance solution for you.
Financial security: Unlike MDO policies, all THEMIS policies are underwritten by reputable insurers regulated by industry authorities. We also harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure your premium remains truly reflective of your risk.
Risk management resources: As well as your policy, you will also be able to access a wealth of risk management resources, including educational materials, training programs and best practice guidelines, to enhance patient safety and reduce your risk.
To find out more about switching your policy to us, or if you’d like us to review the terms of your existing policy, simply get in touch and we’d be more than happy to help.
