GCC fitness to practise learnings on the importance of legal insurance and legal representation

Recent PCC cases have demonstrated the importance of professional legal cover to pay for legal representation.  The GCC wrote on its website:

“Recent PCC cases have demonstrated the importance of ensuring that you have appropriate professional legal cover to pay for legal representation, as well as your indemnity insurance.”

To register with the GCC, you must have at least £5 million in patient indemnity cover. This insurance will compensate patients who may be injured or harmed during treatment, ensuring they can receive financial support and necessary care if needed.

“Although we sometimes investigate complaints about inadequate indemnity cover, such cases are rare. Be particularly careful to ensure you maintain adequate cover when changing insurer, moving job (if the clinic insures on your behalf) or changing bank account (if your insurance is automatically paid).”

Professional legal cover provides you with legal support and financial protection against the costs of legal action – whether that be a private action, or a complaint to the regulator.

“In recent years there have been a few cases where a chiropractor has represented themselves during all or part of the Professional Conduct Committee hearings. This can be costly for both the chiropractor and the GCC – the cases tend to be more drawn out as self represented chiropractors are unfamiliar with the hearing process and therefore not in the best position to know how to properly defend the case against them.

“In addition, research from the General Dental Council and Nursing and Midwifery Council suggests that the outcome for the professional under investigation could be worse than if they were represented.”

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