Private Work Involving Vicarious Liability Policy

Purpose

This policy outlines the types of private work that our GP surgery will not undertake, particularly where there is a risk of vicarious liability. The primary objective is to ensure the safety and well-being of both our patients and the healthcare professionals, while maintaining the highest standards of clinical care within the scope of our NHS services.

Scope

This policy applies to all patients registered at our GP surgery and covers private work requests that may expose the practice or its clinicians to vicarious liability.

Policy Statement

Our GP surgery is committed to providing high-quality care within the scope of NHS services. However, we do not undertake private work that may involve specialist assessments or activities which present a significant risk of vicarious liability. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

Fitness to fly assessments

• Clearance for high-risk sports (e.g., mountaineering, skydiving, paragliding)
• Certification for participation in sporting events (e.g., marathons, triathlons)
• Diving medicals (beyond DVLA Statements of fact) or fitness to dive
• Medical certifications for extreme sports or adventure travel

Rationale

These types of private work often require specialist knowledge and expertise that fall outside the general practice remit. Moreover, issuing certifications for such activities may expose the GP surgery to potential legal risks, including vicarious liability, if an adverse event occurs.

Our GPs are trained to provide general medical services and support within the NHS framework. Specialist assessments should be undertaken by professionals with specific expertise in those fields, and we encourage patients to seek advice from appropriately qualified clinicians or agencies for such requests.

What We Do Offer

Our GP surgery continues to offer a wide range of services under the NHS, including general health advice, chronic disease management, routine medical checks, and referrals to specialist services where appropriate.

Alternative Options

For private work not covered under this policy, patients are advised to seek independent medical assessments from specialists in the relevant field. These might include:

• Occupational health specialists
• Sports physicians
• Aviation or diving medical examiners
• Travel medicine clinics

Conclusion

This policy is in place to safeguard both our patients and the surgery from the legal risks associated with vicarious liability. We are happy to support our patients in accessing the appropriate services for their private health needs through appropriate referrals or guidance.

If you have any further questions or require clarification regarding this policy, please contact our practice manager.