The BMA’s Annual Representative Meeting 2021 was held virtually on 13 and 14 September. Londonwide LMCs proposed a motion to end compensation claimants pursuing professional proceedings against GPs. The motion as passed reads:
Motion by Conference of LMCs: That this meeting notes the concerns expressed by indemnity providers that the goodwill shown to clinicians in the pandemic will be lost under a deluge of litigations and demands the BMA seek:-
- a Repeal of S2(4) of the Law Reform (Personal Injuries) Act 1948;
- the establishment of an independent body to define the NHS health and social care package which can give an appropriate standard of care for all patients irrespective of the cause of the patient’s care requirements;
- that we move to a New Zealand no fault compensation scheme.
The main headline from the ARM was the BMA’s decision to move to a neutral stance on physician assisted dying, following a debate and vote at the Conference.