When “one‐size‐fits‐all” cover unravels at the first sign of a claim
The cursor blinks. The scan is silent. But your mind isn’t.
You’ve reviewed this chest CT three times now. You know what’s at stake, not just for the patient whose life may hinge on this report, but for you. For your livelihood, your name, your future.
Behind the polished promises of standard indemnity lies a quiet truth: when complications arise, the cover you trusted may simply not show up.
Radiology has evolved, faster reporting, remote access, AI overlays, but indemnity hasn’t kept pace. And its radiologists who are paying the price.
Let’s explore why standard indemnity is failing, and how you can protect your future before the cracks become catastrophes.
- No Legal Requirement for Individual Cover in Teleradiology
As radiology shifts towards remote reporting, the old assumption that “Crown indemnity has you covered” no longer holds. The Royal College of Radiologists explicitly states that individual consultants must hold their own, adequate indemnity, yet there is no statutory obligation enforcing this for UK-based patients. In the teleradiology context, this gap can leave radiologists liable for claims if the Trust’s contract doesn’t clearly assign responsibility.
- Discretionary Cover Can Be Withdrawn at Any Time
Medical Defence Organisations (MDOs) operate on a discretionary basis: they “may” support you, rather than “must”. High-profile examples, like the Ian Paterson scandal demonstrate that MDOs can and will retract support when faced with catastrophic claims. The result? Consultants are left to defend themselves or settle personally.
- Rising Diagnostic Delay Claims
Diagnostic accuracy is the lifeblood of radiology, but it also drives litigation. In one thematic review of 50 cancer-related negligence claims, 28% involved delay in diagnosis or treatment of malignancy. Such delays are often linked to follow-up failures, second readings that never happened, or unclear reporting protocols risks that standard policies may not fully anticipate.
- Even Small Claim Volumes Pack a Big Financial Punch
Although radiology accounts for just 4% of NHS clinical negligence notifications and 2% of their value, each claim can involve multiple experts, protracted legal processes and six-figure settlements. Compared to other specialties, the concentrated complexity of imaging claims means that a single case can dwarf average fees in general practice. resolution.nhs.uk
Generic indemnity was never designed for today’s radiology environment. Modern practice demands contract-certain, speciality-backed cover that can’t be withdrawn at whim or stretched by emerging technologies.
At Incision, we offer precisely that:
- Specialty-specific policies co-designed with radiology experts
- Contractual certainty, so your protection is never discretionary
Don’t let the safety net unravel at the moment of truth.
Discover Incision’s Radiology Indemnity
References:
- RCR: “Standards for the provision of teleradiology… no legal obligation for individual insurance/indemnity cover.”
- BMJ Open Qual: “14/50 cancer claims involved delay in diagnosis or treatment (28%).”
- NHS Resolution ED Report: Radiology = 4% of notified claims, 2% of value. resolution.nhs.uk
