THEMIS’ principal associate, Margot Northeast, espouses the importance of face-to-face meetings, especially when it comes to dispelling some long-held confusion.
In healthcare, some of the most important conversations still happen in person, between conference sessions, over coffee, and through honest discussions between clinicians and industry professionals.
One topic that regularly arises at healthcare conferences I have attended is the confusion surrounding discretionary indemnity. Many clinicians assume Medical Defence Organisation (MDO) membership guarantees automatic protection in every circumstance, without fully understanding the discretionary nature of that support. These are nuanced conversations that are difficult to navigate through emails or virtual meetings alone.
Why indemnity conversations matter
Confusion around discretionary indemnity remains one of the most common concerns raised by clinicians.
Many healthcare professionals are unaware that MDOs do not offer the same contractual certainty as an insurance policy. Support can be declined depending on the circumstances of a case, and unlike insurers, MDOs are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means clinicians cannot access the Financial Ombudsman Service if they believe they have been treated unfairly.
What surprises me most is how many clinicians have never fully understood the difference until we discuss it face-to-face
These conversations can be uncomfortable, particularly when complaints, investigations, or personal liability are involved. Speaking openly in person often gives clinicians the confidence to ask questions and properly understand their position.
This is especially true for obstetricians, I have found that many remain with the same provider for years because of the trust they place in long-standing relationships with their broker. Building that trust requires more than simply offering a competitive product. It requires visibility, accessibility, and honest conversation.
In one discussion with an obstetric consultant, concerns around scope of practice and rising anxiety surrounding complaints only became clear once we sat down together over a coffee, something that had never fully surfaced through phone calls or emails alone.
At THEMIS, we see indemnity differently. The most accurate understanding of risk doesn’t come from forms or data alone, but from speaking directly with clinicians and understanding their day-to-day practice. Those conversations reveal what paperwork cannot.
