Medical Protection has reassured Northern Ireland GP members that the change to the personal injury discount rate (PIDR) due to come into effect on 31 May, will not result in a significant increase in their subscription fees.

Currently set at 2.5%, the plan is to decrease the PIDR to -1.75% at the end of May 2021.

The PIDR is the method used to determine the size of the compensation payment that is made following a personal injury claim (including clinical negligence claims), where long-term care costs are expected to be incurred. It is used to determine the current financial value of the lump sum that would need to be invested in order to provide a future annual income that was sufficient to meet the expected cost of ongoing care. The lower the discount rate, the larger the lump sum that needs to be awarded.

As a result, the overall cost of clinical negligence claims is likely to increase, which could impact on the cost of professional indemnity from some providers. Medical Protection, however, says it has anticipated the PIDR decrease for some time, and has been actively working to determine where additional cost savings for impacted members could be made, the result of which is that the PIDR change will not lead to an increase in professional indemnity fees for most Medical Protection members.

Simon Kayll, Medical Protection CEO, said: “We know many Northern Ireland GP’s will be aware of the planned change to the PIDR and have concerns regarding what this means for the cost of their indemnity.

“I would like to reassure Medical Protection members that contrary to what they may have heard from others, Medical Protection members will not see a significant increase in their subscription fees.

“As a not-for-profit, membership organisation, our priority is always to act in members’ best interests. Having anticipated the PIDR decrease for some time, we have been actively working to determine where additional cost savings for impacted members could be made.

“We have made some notable developments, and are pleased to be able to announce that we have been able to limit the potential PIDR impact for all members, so much so, that most members will actually see a decrease in their subscription fees for the year ahead, rather than any increase.

“We are also working to secure a better long-term outcome for members. A further PIDR change is expected again next year once new legislation has passed which would amend how the rate is set in future. We have been working with other organisations and making representations to the Department of Justice with the aim of ensuring the best possible outcome for members.”

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For further information contact Kate Tullett: E:[email protected]  T:+44 (0)7515 298791.

About MPS

The Medical Protection Society Limited (“MPS”) is the world’s leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals. We protect and support the professional interests of almost 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.

MPS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MPS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.