Winter Indemnity Scheme

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Winter Indemnity Scheme  2018/19

Without a doubt, stakeholders have acknowledged the struggles NHS are facing and specific departments crumbling. The cost cutting strategies NHS has implemented have been successful, however the side effects and anarchy it developed is the main cause of the struggles we face today.

The unpredicted climate change has already proven statistics in the growth of patients in need of GPs. A long winter approaches and it brings a chaos along with it. Several forecasts have stated that winter 2018 to be the coldest over a decade with months of heavy snow.

NHS begins to brace for what awaits by making precautionary actions to cover the potential increase in demand of healthcare professionals. NHS England announces a £10 million winter indemnity scheme to cover additional extended hours, out of hours and unscheduled care sessions from October.

“The scheme means GPs do not pay anything on top of their regular subscription fees to their medical defence organisation for extra shifts they agree to work over winter”.

NHS England Director said this is designed to eliminate the discouragement for GPs to provide extra support and ease the pressure on GPs, A&E and other frontline NHS services. Dr Richard Vautrey, BMA GP committee chair, said GPs 'should never face the predicament of having to decide what work they take on based on the barriers created by sky-rocketing indemnity costs' and that 'therefore the winter indemnity scheme is welcome, as it gives doctors the option to take on extra work that many simply would not be able to afford to otherwise'. But, he added that this scheme will provide a boost until end of March, demands for such service will not stop there.

The government’s commitment to a state-backed scheme from April provides a unique opportunity for ministers to radically overhaul the current system and make general practice an attractive career for doctors. The main objective of this outline is to prevent another year with indemnity scheme.

Taking into consideration of the rising population in elderly and young children, its comprehendible the demand this winter will certainly be unclear. It is definite that the cold climate will be a factor to increase patients visits and sickness. Commencing strategies will perhaps amend the dynamics of the pressure that is due to come but the tide will not turn.

The centralised system will take the industry to a whole new level however the atmospheric results might involve of births of new problems.  It is undeniable that NHS can function with its current funding procedures and it is certain that more funds are needed to ensure services are provided efficiently. Many institutions struggle to run departments and meet the service level due to shortage of healthcare professionals.

The NHS are trying to put acts of measures to support the healthcare industry and ensure the system operates smoothly during winter. There are other means of actions proposed and implemented to support the cause moving forward in the long run.

How to Apply ?

Just click the link under your Insurance Provider.

MDU
https://www.themdu.com/press-centre/press-releases/~/link.aspx?_id=84CD3A5A4FDA494EB0819F4CE6989D11&_z=z

MDDUS
https://www.mddus.com/about-us/notice-board/2018/september/winter-indemnity-scheme-for-out-of-hours-work

MPS
https://www.medicalprotection.org/uk/articles/nhs-england-winter-indemnity-scheme

To read more about Winter indemnity, please click the link below.
NHS England
https://www.england.nhs.uk/gp/gpfv/investment/indemnity/winter-indemnity/