Medical Protection has announced free membership for fast-tracked medical students joining the workforce early due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Students currently enjoy free membership with Medical Protection, this will now continue throughout their Intern year training as newly qualified doctors.

Under measures to support student members during the Covid-19 pandemic, Medical Protection will provide an extra year of free membership for final-year medical students— with many starting work earlier than expected.

The offer is open to all final-year medical students, regardless of whether they opt for early graduation. It is open to new joiners and applies automatically to existing Medical Protection members as they become newly qualified doctors.

The announcement comes as more than 60,000 healthcare professionals have responded to the On Call for Ireland appeal, to join the frontline battle against Covid-19. 

Medical Protection said it was outlining this support to protect its student members during this challenging time and support the national effort to tackle the ongoing pandemic.

Membership provides a range of benefits including the right to request indemnity for complaints or representation for disciplinary matters.

All members will also have access to Medical Protection’s confidential counselling service for those experiencing work-related stress.

Dr Rob Hendry, Medical Director at Medical Protection, said:

“The incredible dedication of final-year students who are answering the call to join the frontlines of tackling Covid-19, is nothing short of remarkable.

“To support them during this challenging time, as they enter a changed professional landscape, we are continuing their free membership into their Intern year.

 “Those new to the profession will face real challenges and, as a mutual organisation, our purpose is to be there for our members in times of difficulty. There has never been a more important time to step in and provide the assistance that they need.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Newly qualified doctors who entering their Intern year in 2020/2021 can also join Medical Protection and benefit from free membership until July 2021
• Existing student members in their final year will still receive their annual renewal pack outlining a direct debit of €20, however this will no longer apply, and the money will not be taken out of accounts.

Reference: HSE:Be on Call for Ireland – Over 60,000 Registered https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/media/pressrel/be-on-call-for-ireland-%E2%80%93-over-60000-registered.html

For further information contact: Ione Gyamfi at [email protected] +44(0)7525 680 165.

About Medical Protection

Medical Protection is a trading name of The Medical Protection Society Limited (“MPS”). MPS is the world’s leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals. We protect and support the professional interests of more than 300,000 members around the world. Membership provides access to expert advice and support and can also provide, depending on the type of membership required, the right to request indemnity for any complaints or claims arising

from professional practice.

Our in-house experts assist with the wide range of legal and ethical problems that arise from professional practice. This can include clinical negligence claims, complaints, medical and dental council inquiries, legal and ethical dilemmas, disciplinary procedures, inquests and fatal accident inquiries.

Our philosophy is to support safe practice in medicine and dentistry by helping to avert problems in the first place. We do this by promoting risk management through our workshops, E-learning, clinical risk assessments, publications, conferences, lectures and presentations.