Fitness To Practice Insurance

FITNESS TO PRACTICE LEGAL EXPENSES INSURANCE FOR PRACTICING MEMBERS OF ISCP


Why is this cover necessary?

Members will be aware that CORU have now included physiotherapy as a regulated profession and Physiotherapists wishing to practice legally in the Republic of Ireland must register with CORU.


What does the Insurance cover?

The policy provides practicing members with access to a 24/7 Legal Helpline and covers the legal cost of representing and advising Members at Fitness to Practise hearings arising from complaints to CORU, the Irish Health & Social Care Professionals Regulator, in cases where there are reasonable prospects of avoiding or mitigating sanctions CORU might impose.
This policy will provide the means for practicing Members to defend allegations or complaints made to CORU concerning a Members’ fitness to practise.


What support is available to Members?

Under this Policy Members will receive specialist legal advice and representation from the outset of any CORU enquiry, available from the moment Members receive notification that a complaint has been made to CORU concerning the Member.
The specialist legal team will guide and defend Members throughout until the case is finalised.


What are the limits insured?

Cover is provided for each practicing Member up to €250,000 in respect of approved legal costs for any one case with an annual aggregate limit of €500,000 for all claims notified in any one period of insurance, subject to the Policy Terms & Conditions.


What is the cost of this insurance?

This Policy is funded by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and included within membership as a benefit for practicing members. It is vital therefore Members ensure their subscriptions are up to date, and membership remains valid to benefit from the protection of this policy.


If I didn’t have this policy what would I do about a CORU complaint?

Without this policy or similar protection Members will either have to represent themselves or pay the cost of their own legal advisers from the moment they become aware that a complaint has been made to CORU about them. The cost of specialist legal representation, even at straight forward CORU hearings, will be expensive and more so when hearings are complex and require detailed investigations. The policy also ensures Members are represented by Solicitors with the necessary experience and knowledge in dealing with Fitness to Practise complaints.


Do I need this cover in addition to any cover my employer provides for me?

Yes because it is the Member’s responsibility as a qualified physiotherapist to ensure they are registered to practice with CORU. Employers will not normally provide the cost of defence or representation at Fitness to Practise hearings, and such cover will not normally be provided by the employer’s or the Member’s professional liability insurance, whether Members are employed in the public or private health sectors.
Self‐employed members are also unlikely to benefit from similar cover under their individual professional liability insurance.


What should I do if I receive notification of a complaint from CORU?

Firstly it is vitally important Members follow the insurer’s claim notification process and under no circumstances must Members respond to the complaint, without first obtaining the advice of the insurer or the Solicitor appointed to act on their behalf. To do so could prejudice the defence of Members and invalidate the policy cover. 


What is the procedure to notify claims under the policy?

Please contact the PPU immediately should youreceive notification from CORU that a complaint has been received. The PPU can be contact at advisor@iscp.ie or frantheron@iscp.ie. Arachas must be notified immediately that a complaint has been made to CORU. Contact Arachas at 01 707 5800 or info@arachas.ie.  The letter from CORU is not to be sent to Arachas.

Where can I obtain further information regarding this insurance?

A copy of the policy wording and a summary of cover is available on request from the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.

Important Notes

  1. Members should note that cover only applies to claims arising from events after 30th September 2016 (the commencement or date of this policy), or the date of ISCP membership, or the date of CORU registration, whichever date is the latest.
  2. Members are advised that failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the policy may invalidate or undermine the protection afforded. Members instructing their own Solicitor or responding to CORU directly prior to notification of insurers, or failing to follow the advice and guidance provided by insurers, (or the Solicitors appointed to act on their behalf) or failing to promptly report a claim under the policy, may affect the validity of the cover provided.
  3. Members should be aware that cover may not be available in cases where there is less than a 51% chance of success of winning the case and achieving a positive outcome.
  4. Only fully paid up practicing members of ISCP benefit from this insurance.
    To activate your legal defence insurance policy when you become registered with CORU please email info@iscp.ie with the following details so that we can add your name to the policy
    Name:
    ISCP Membership number:
    CORU Registration Number:
ADVERTISEMENTS