Membership of SEMPRIS provides a comprehensive set of benefits tailored to the professional needs of doctors involved in the treatment and care of professional sportsmen and women. The scheme includes an individual policy of insurance, underwritten by Lloyds of London Syndicates and Medical Malpractice Insurance companies, covering payment of costs, fees, expenses and damages arising from:
- Clinical negligence claims
- Claims brought by a sport person’s employer, club, agent, sponsor or event organiser in relation to alleged negligent treatment of a player.
- Claims arising from pre-signing medical assessments undertaken directly for clubs
- Treatment provided when travelling overseas with teams.
- General Medical Council inquiries
- Disciplinary inquiries
- Inquests and fatal accident inquiries
- Criminal investigations arising out of professional practice
- Defamation
- Breach of professional confidentiality
- Breach of Data Protection Act
- Loss of documents
- Good Samaritan Acts
In addition members benefit from:
- 24 hour expert medico-legal advice
- Advice and assistance on handling complaints
- Direct access to specialist clinical expertise
For advice and assistance on any issue call 0333 444 1081 and you will speak to a medico-legal adviser. The advisory service is available from 09.00 – 18.00 on weekdays and for emergencies there is a 24-hour telephone advice service on the same number.
SEMPRIS has been developed specifically to overcome the introduction of restrictive guidelines, and the withdrawal or limitation of indemnity cover by the medical defence organisations, for doctors involved in the treatment and care of professional sportsmen and women. The scheme not only provides indemnity protection to enable doctors to protect themselves appropriately, but it also allows them to practice in a manner that is both practical and compatible with the unique demands of professional sport. For further detail on the risks please click here.
SEMPRIS is the name of an insured indemnity product that has been developed and is administered by Health Partners Europe Ltd. Health Partners is a strong and well recognised company with a long-standing reputation in healthcare consultancy, and the delivery of medical administration services to professional sport in the UK. The scheme consists of two elements:
(1) an insured indemnity policy underwritten by leading Lloyds of London Syndicates and Medical Malpractice Insurance companies; and
(2) in-house legal and advisory assistance services provided by SEMPRIS Support and supported by Keystone Law, specialists in medico-legal and risk management services.
In addition to the strength of the SEMPRIS partners, the scheme’s security and longevity will be determined by the support and commitment of its members, and the financial security and strength of the underlying indemnity insurance. The combination of long established and reputable service providers, underpinned by the size and financial security provided by Lloyd’s of London (Standard & Poor’s, A+) (A.M. Best, A) (Fitch Ratings, AA-) and Allied World Insurance (Standard & Poor’s, A) (A.M. Best, A) (Moody’s, A2) provides the security, assurance and longevity that members require.
On the basis of the agency ratings, and the commitment, determination and long standing reputation of the parties involved in developing SEMPRIS, we believe the scheme has a strong and secure future.
The scheme is underwritten by:
- Allied World Assurance Companies (Europe) dac
- Rennaissance Re Syndicate 1458
- Dale Underwriting Syndicate 1729
- SCOR SE
A more familiar term for a Deductible is an Excess. The Excess is the amount the member chooses to pay in the event of a claim on the policy, for example for clinical negligence, breach of confidentiality and defamation claims.
Retaining some of the risk reduces the subscription just as it does for car and other forms of insurance. You can request a quote for different levels of Excess, including Nil Excess, to help you decide. The greater the Excess you choose, the lower the cost of your subscription.
The Excess does not apply for legal assistance for GMC inquiries, disciplinary procedures, criminal investigations arising out of your professional practice, inquests and fatal accident inquiries or any of the other benefits of SEMPRIS membership.
No – simply reporting an adverse incident or asking for advice has no effect on your premium. In fact reporting adverse events is in your best interests as once a problem is reported you can claim on the policy no matter when the claim against you is actually made.
Legal costs that are incurred in defending clinical negligence claims and which are in excess of your chosen level of policy Excess will be paid by the insurers.
Yes – up to a limit of £500,000 with no call on the excess on the policy (unless you elect to choose your own representative, in which case the excess is £1,000).
Yes – up to a limit of £500,000 with no call on the excess on the policy (unless you elect to choose your own representative, in which case the excess is £1,000).
Yes – up to a limit of £500,000 with no call on the excess on the policy (unless you elect to choose your own representative, in which case the excess is £1,000).
Yes – up to a limit of £500,000 with no call on the excess on the policy.
Yes – up to a limit of £500,000 with no call on the excess on the policy (unless you elect to choose your own representative, in which case the excess is £1,000).
Yes – up to a limit of £500,000 with no call on the excess on the policy (unless you elect to choose your own representative, in which case the excess is variable and noted on your policy documentation).
The policy limit refers to the maximum amount that insurers are liable to pay in respect of any damages awarded against the Insured in Court, or as an out of court settlement figure. Damages can be for one claim, or series of claims, during the Policy period. The standard Limit of Indemnity is £10m Any One Claim (AOC) and £20m in the Annual Aggregate (AGG). Members have the option of increasing the Limit to £15m AOC and £30m AGG or £20m AOC and £40m AGG. The Limit of Indemnity is Aggregated and will include costs and expenses incurred in the defence of the Insured.
No – but the total of all claims in any one policy year cannot exceed your chosen Annual Aggregate.
The standard Limit of Indemnity is £10m Any One Claim (AOC) and £20m in the Annual Aggregate (AGG). Members have the option of increasing the Limit to £15m AOC and £30m AGG or £20m AOC and £40m AGG.
The policy applies to UK practice and also includes the treatment of sports professionals when travelling in the EU with teams. If the work is outside the EU then SEMPRIS needs to be contacted to confirm the extension. The policy will usually not be extended to the USA and Canada except for one-off circumstances.
The policy includes twenty-one years non-discretionary, fully insured Run-off cover for all policyholders in the event of Death, Permanent Disability or Permanent Retirement.
If there is a claim or some other problem, who will guide me and ensure that I am properly defended?
The Advisory Services provided by SEMPRIS are a vital element of the security and protection provided by the scheme and are there to make sure that you are properly defended at all times. The advisory and case management services are provided in-house by SEMPRIS Support, led by Dr Michael Kyriagis, who is a dual qualified doctor and lawyer. The team are experts in all aspects of clinical negligence litigation and healthcare regulation.
Our market research suggests that the cost of membership, taking into account the enhanced levels of indemnity protection, excess and benefits will be similar to or lower than the subscription you are currently paying. This will, to some extent, be dependent on your particular medical discipline and the level of excess you choose. It is worth highlighting that underlying subscription rates have not increased since inception six years ago.
SEMPRIS is recognised and accepted by all UK Independent Hospitals and Hospital Groups.
SEMPRIS is able to provide an ‘extension’ policy to General Practitioners working within a professional sport setting as we are unable to provide cover for NHS General Practice. Your SEMPRIS policy is designed to operate alongside your traditional indemnity and will cover you to treat professional sportspeople within a club / organisation / National Governing Body.