Business & Medical Insurance Information
SmartWork Business Insurance
For your peace of mind, SmartWork maintains business insurance arrangements to support workers engaged through our services.
Our insurance arrangements may include cover for:
- Employers’ Liability
- Public Liability
- Professional Indemnity
- Medical Malpractice
The availability and applicability of cover will depend on the nature of the services provided and the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the relevant insurance policies in force at the time of a claim.
SmartWork Medical Insurance Guidance for Healthcare Professionals
Overview
This guidance applies to healthcare professionals undertaking clinical work through SmartWork, particularly where work is undertaken in the private sector or a combination of NHS and private sector practice. It explains how medical malpractice and professional indemnity insurance apply under SmartWork arrangements.
NHS-Only Workers
Healthcare professionals whose work is carried out exclusively for NHS organisations are generally covered by the applicable NHS indemnity arrangements. In these circumstances, separate professional indemnity or medical malpractice insurance is not normally required for NHS-funded services.
Private Sector and Mixed Practice Workers
Healthcare professionals undertaking clinical work in the private sector, or a combination of NHS and private sector work, may be required to maintain their own professional indemnity and/or medical malpractice insurance appropriate to their profession and scope of practice. Where required, evidence of such cover must be provided to SmartWork upon request.
SmartWork Medical Malpractice Policy
The SmartWork Medical Malpractice Policy operates on the basis that healthcare professionals undertaking private sector or mixed NHS/private practice maintain appropriate professional indemnity and/or medical malpractice insurance where such cover is required for their role.
The cover provided under the SmartWork Medical Malpractice Policy is contingent upon such insurance being in place.
If an individual is required to maintain professional indemnity and/or medical malpractice insurance and does not hold appropriate cover, the SmartWork Medical Malpractice Policy will not respond, and cover will not be available in respect of that individual’s role.
Where appropriate, individual cover is in place, and confirmation of insurance can be provided to agencies or clients upon request.
Important Note on Insurance Responsibility
It is the responsibility of the healthcare professional to ensure they understand and comply with any insurance requirements applicable to their role.
Insurance requirements may vary depending on:
- · Your profession and clinical scope of practice
- · Whether you work in the NHS, private sector, or both
- · Requirements set by regulators, clients, or professional bodies
Where there is any uncertainty, workers should seek clarification before commencing an assignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need my own medical malpractice insurance?
If you work exclusively for NHS organisations, NHS indemnity arrangements will generally apply and separate medical malpractice insurance is not normally required for those NHS services.
If you undertake private-sector work, or a combination of NHS and private-sector work, you may be required to maintain your own professional indemnity and/or medical malpractice insurance, depending on your role and scope of practice.
Does SmartWork provide medical malpractice insurance?
SmartWork maintains a Medical Malpractice Policy; however, for private-sector and mixed NHS/private practice workers, the policy operates on the basis that the healthcare professional maintains their own professional indemnity and/or medical malpractice insurance where required.
The cover provided under the SmartWork Medical Malpractice Policy is contingent upon appropriate individual cover being in place.
What happens if I do not have the required insurance?
If you are required to maintain professional indemnity and/or medical malpractice insurance and do not hold appropriate cover, the SmartWork Medical Malpractice Policy will not respond, and cover will not be available in respect of your role.
This may affect your ability to undertake assignments through SmartWork.
Who is responsible for ensuring I have the correct insurance?
It is the responsibility of the healthcare professional to ensure they hold appropriate insurance where required for their profession, scope of practice, and assignment type.
If you are unsure, you should seek clarification before commencing work.
Can SmartWork confirm insurance to agencies or clients?
Yes. Where appropriate individual cover is in place, and policy requirements are met, SmartWork can provide confirmation of insurance to agencies or clients upon request.
Who should I contact if I am unsure?
If you are unsure whether your role requires medical malpractice insurance or how the SmartWork Medical Malpractice Policy applies to your work, please contact the SmartWork Team before starting an assignment.