Reports from Recent Events

Professional Medical Indemnity - 9th November 2011

This meeting was devoted to the question of medical indemnity. Speakers included John de Bono - Barrister; Daniel Toner - General Counsel for Spire Healthcare; Richard Packard - Consultant Ophthalmologist and FIPO Vice Chairman who reviewed the FIPO consultant survey and Kevin McCluskie - an independent chartered insurance broker who has carried out a review of professional medical indemnity for FIPO.

The conclusion of the meeting was that whilst there are new insurers coming on stream apart from the main medical defence organisations, consultants should take clear advice before changing.

The consultant survey by FIPO showed considerable ignorance on the part of the majority of consultants with regard to the terminology, extent and cover arrangements that they have through their current indemnifier. More details can be found on the FIPO website at www.fipo.org

Update for Consultants - 29th March 2011

A well attended meeting at the Royal Society of Medicine on the 29th March heard talks from Magnus Boyd about methods by which consultants may protect their reputation. Vanessa Sanders of accountants, Stanbridge Associates gave a further update on tax and revenue issues and noted the benefits to be had from incorporation as a company. Consultants were advised to speak to their accountants on this matter.

Geoffrey Glazer, the Chairman of FIPO, discussed the current status of the OFT Market Study which was then in progress.

Stephen Collier, then General Counsel - now Chief Executive of the BMI group, discussed competition law in the context of the OFT Inquiry. There was a detailed question and answer session which followed these presentations.

Dinner with Mr Niall Dickson, CEO GMC – 4th November 2010

A dinner was held at the Athenaeum with the principle speaker Mr. Niall Dickson CEO of the GMC who discussed revalidation and answered detailed questions from the floor. The results of the GMC consultation on Revalidation was not yet fully approved by the GMC Council but is likely to lead to a simplification and streamlining of the process. This was greeted with some relief by the audience.

Dealing with the Insurers - 7th July 2010

At this meeting there were presentations by Mr. Geoffrey Glazer and Mr. Richard Packard, Chairman and Deputy Chairman of FIPO, Dr. J. J. de Gorter, Medical Director of Spire Hospitals, Dr. Ray Stanbridge, Medical Accountant, and Professor Tim Briggs, Medical Director of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore. Issues relating to current PMI tactics were discussed with a detailed question and answer review by the panel at the end. This meeting was attended by over 100 consultants.

Meet the Insurers – meeting at the King’s Fund on the 21st April 2010

This was a lively meeting held in front of a packed audience at the King’s Fund who were addressed by speakers from all the major insurance companies as well as from Tribal, the company responsible for coding.

The different approaches by the various insurers were self evident and the audience engaged in a lively question and answer debate with the various speakers.

For more detailed short notes of this meeting members click here...

Further details about the FIPO consultant survey can be found at www.fipo.org/docs/axa-ppp/survey-may-2010.htm and www.fipo.org/docs/axa-ppp/survey-detail-may-2010.htm

Developing Your Private Practice - 18th March 2010

A meeting devoted to aspects of practice development was held on on the 18th March 2010 in Portland Place, London.

This meeting was addressed by a number of speakers including Mr. Richard Packard, Deputy Chairman of FIPO and Mr. Richard Rawlins, member of the BMA Private Practice Committee. The many young consultants in the audience were given detailed information about starting and developing their private practice.

Pressing Problems for Consultants - 3rd March 2010

An urgent meeting was called on Wednesday March 3rd at 6 pm at the King’s Fund to discuss the HMRC approach to consultants about non--tax compliance.

This meeting was held to discuss the HMRC approach to consultants about non-tax compliance. Speakers from Ray Stanbridge Associates accountants and from the legal profession (Mr. Keith Gordon), Barrister explained exactly how consultants should react to the current HMRC approach.

Dinner with Mr. Andrew Lansley CBE MP - 2nd March 2010

The LCA in conjunction with FIPO held another private dinner for consultants at the Athenaeum with Mr. Andrew Lansley CBE MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health as Guest Speaker.

Mr Andrew Lansley CBE MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health, addressed a large group at a private dinner hosted by the LCA and FIPO. Mr. Lansley spoke about Conservative Party policies towards healthcare with an emphasis on reduced managerial controls and greater professional input. During detailed questioning Mr. Lansley expressed concern over the European working time directive and also reaffirmed his intention to continue with some form of revalidation for doctors if appointed to office.