Is removing rcn indemnity insurance really a small change? | nursing times

I was shocked last week by the RCN’s decision to remove indemnity insurance from most nurses.The RCN described this as a “small” change. I was shocked last week by the RCN’s decision to

remove indemnity insurance from most nurses. The RCN described this as a “small” change. While it may seem a small change to the college I am sure many nurses will be astounded to hear that

they will no longer benefit from this cover. I joined the RCN in 1981 as a student nurse. The three main unions at the time RCN, COHSE and NUPE were eager to attract our membership and our

fees. But the main attraction of the RCN was the offer of indemnity insurance. After all what would you do if someone sued you? Even when I became aware that vicarious liability meant my

employer would cover me in most circumstances I held onto my membership. In the back of my mind was an insecurity that if it indemnity insurance was offered by the RCN as a membership

benefit then it must be important. Perhaps that just demonstrated my naivety, but throughout my clinical career I maintained my membership because it offered me this reassurance. From 1 July

2014, work undertaken by RCN members who are employed – for example by the health service or an independent healthcare provider – will be excluded from the indemnity scheme’s coverage.

Self-employed members will remain covered, but aesthetic practice will also be excluded from because of the high claims risk associated with this area of practice. I appreciate the RCN needs

to tidy up its policies and finances and has concerns that some employers were passing on claims relating to its members to the college, but it has failed to explain why it offered a

benefit that was actually of no benefit to most members in the first place. It seems to me that buying into union membership is a bit like choosing an energy supplier. You have to look at

carefully at all the benefits before typing in your bank details. If you want to know more about vicarious liability click here.