Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice covers GPs for (a) telephone consultations and (b) advice given to patients who are temporarily abroad on holiday.

The Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP) is a state clinical negligence scheme in England which covers activities delivered under relevant contracts specified in regulations. Both telephone consultations and advice to patients abroad are covered by what is defined as a ‘relevant function’ in the Scheme’s rules and regulations. Both would therefore be covered by the CNSGP, as long as the patient is registered in England. In the case of advice to patients abroad, the general practitioner would provide services through the health service in England.