The Medical Defence Union (MDU) is the largest medical defence organisation (MDO) in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

, offering professional medical indemnity for clinical negligence claims and advice provided by medico-legal experts for its members. A mutual not for profit organisation that guides, supports and defends medical & dental professionals in the UK. The MDU was established in 1885 and was the first of its kind in the world. it has around 200,000 members: doctors, nurses, dentists and other healthcare workers. The MDU has a sister company, the Dental Defence Union (DDU). The MDU is a not for profit mutual organisation and one of three major MDOs in the UK.

History

The Medical Defence Union was founded in 1885 following outrage in the medical community over the case of a Dr David Bradley who was wrongly convicted of a charge of assaulting a woman in his surgery. Dr Bradley spent eight months in prison before receiving a full pardon. By late 1885, there was increasing recognition among the medical profession of the real risk doctors ran in their everyday practice and the poor resources at their disposal to defend themselves. The

British Medical Association The British Medical Association (BMA) is a registered trade union for doctors in the United Kingdom. The association does not regulate or certify doctors, a responsibility which lies with the General Medical Council. The association's headquar ...

, for example, to which many of the profession belonged, was not permitted under its constitution to undertake individual medical defence. In 1885, solicitors Mr Dauney and Mr Cridland, together with Mr Rideal, Mr Clements, Mr Leggatt, Mr Sinyanki and Mr Fitzgerald, signed a memorandum that established the aims and objectives of the newly registered company, the Medical Defence Union. They were the first executive board. The annual subscription cost for members was set at 10 shillings.

Services

The MDU produces a member guide, to explain to memberswhat they might expect: * Professional indemnity against claims for clinical negligence * Support and representation with disciplinary and regulatory investigations, coroner’s inquests and criminal investigations into members’ professional practice *

Medico-legal Medical law is the branch of law which concerns the prerogatives and responsibilities of medical professionals and the rights of the patient. It should not be confused with medical jurisprudence, which is a branch of medicine, rather than a bra ...

advice including out of hours emergency helpline 24 hours a day * Help with responding to patient complaints * Support when faced with media attention such as help with preparing media statements and responding to the media * Risk management resources from case reports and online journals * CPD-accredited education courses helping members reduce the risk of a complaint or claim, and improve their wellbeing and communication skills * Free access t
member app
containing latest news, membership card and proof of membership * Member discounts on books, courses, online revision resources

Journals

The MDU produces three journals for members which are available on its website and in its member app �
the MDU journalthe DDU journal
an
Student Notes

Lobbying

The MDU is active in influencing the medico-legal climate on behalf of members. In 2012 the MDU launched its campaign calling on the government to make compensation for injured patients fair and affordable. The campaign was launched in response to spiralling medical negligence bills which have quadrupled in the last decade. According to former chief executive, Dr Christine Tomkins, compensation claims in England are among the highest in the world and the consequence of this on

general practice General practice is the name given in various nations, such as the United Kingdom, India, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to the services provided by general practitioners. In some nations, such as the US, similar services may be describe ...

and the wider NHS is catastrophic. MDU also campaigned for state-backed indemnity for GPs in England which was introduced in April 2019 and they have called for healthcare professionals to be exempt from litigation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regulatory and legal information

The Medical Defence Union is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for insurance mediation and consumer credit activities only. The MDU is not an insurance company. The benefits of MDU membership are all discretionary and are subject to the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

References

External links

* {{Authority control 1885 establishments in the United Kingdom Organizations established in 1885 Medical associations based in the United Kingdom