Medical negligence insurance for paramedic professionals

Apart from being an important requirement of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration, medical negligence cover is probably the most important policy in the career of a paramedic, or any health professional involved in the treatment of patients.

The cover is generally described as Medical Malpractice insurance—but can often be referred to as Medical Liability insurance, Medical Indemnity, Clinical Negligence cover or Professional Indemnity. Its overriding objective is to insure the health professional against claims arising from wrongful advice or negligent treatment.

Any health professional delivering medical services should establish how their work will be insured before engaging in practice. There are two basic areas, each with a different perspective; the first applies to engagement as an employee, and the second, as an independent/voluntary paramedic.

Where the paramedic is employed under a contract of employment, the employer is legally liable for the negligence of their employees (whether that negligence is medically related or otherwise). The employer therefore should maintain an appropriate policy in their name, covering all business liabilities including claims arising from the medical negligence of its employees. To satisfy HCPC regulations, employees should check with their employer they have the necessary insurance before commencing employment.