Personal professional indemnity and contractual issues for trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology

Over the last few decades, more healthcare professionals have faced investigation into complaints about medical care and healthcare outcomes (Department of Health 2003). With increasing medical negligence cases being brought against doctors, it is time to carefully consider the implications of such actions to ensure appropriate safeguards (Ferner and McDowell 2006). At a time when the culture of 'no win, no fee' is rampant, the jobbing frontline doctor is on the back-foot trying to untangle the legalities of a malpractice claim (Ferner and McDowell 2006). Reassuringly, the numbers of doctors referred to the GMC or having to face legal procedures or claims for compensation are still very small (National Audit Office 2001). An essential issue for all doctors is having appropriate indemnity cover in the event that their practice is challenged. The opt-out for the European Working Time Regulations (EWTR) has caused further confusion as to what is covered for junior doctors by individual indemnity policies and the employer's liability scheme. Recently, the RCOG Trainees committee and the BMA Junior Doctors Association issued a joint advice regarding this issue (RCOG 2010). In this paper, we consider the differences in cover provided by the employer's liability scheme, individual professional indemnity schemes and the role of professional bodies. We also seek to clarify the understanding of these surrounding EWTR and the voluntary opt-out clause and provide up-to-date information on medico-legal issues and protection schemes regarding legal liabilities.