Medical Protection

Our Deputy Medical Director, Dr Sarah Townley, explores the complex issue of AI liability in Medscape – particularly where accountability lies if a patient comes to harm due to a defective AI system.

This follows our new report - Closing the AI Liability Gap – published this week.

Read the report here: https://bit.ly/3RNasi1

https://wb.md/3S4nWpE

It’s Time to Close the AI Liability Gap With no clear liability framework for defective AI in healthcare, UK doctors risk bearing the legal consequences alone — and MPS is calling for that to change.

For over 130 years, we’ve supported doctors with expert, doctor‑led protection beyond state indemnity.
We don’t just support you through complaints, GMC investigations and legal challenges - we also campaign for change. That’s why we’ve partnered with Pulse to sponsor “A complaints and regulatory process that works for all.” the exploring how complaints system can better support both doctors and patients.
As a member, you will benefit from:
✔️ Early expert advice to prevent escalation
✔️ Representation through complaints, GMC investigations & legal proceedings
✔️ Support with inquests, disciplinary matters & media scrutiny
✔️ 24/7 medicolegal advice
✔️ Confidential counselling & wellbeing support

State indemnity doesn’t cover everything GPs face today. We’re here to protect you at every stage, while working to improve the system you practise in.

🔗 Join Medical Protection today via the link in bio

Fantastic to see our new report – Closing the AI Liability Gap – published in The Guardian. Thanks to Denis Campbell for reporting on this important issue.

We are committed to ensuring that AI tools – and the legal frameworks that underpin them – work fairly and effectively for the clinicians using them, and will continue to advocate on this issue on behalf of our members.

Read our report here: https://bit.ly/3RNasi1

Doctors and NHS could be sued for mistakes made by AI tools, report warns Medical Protection Society calls for law to be overhauled to help medics avoid liability for errors made by technology

📊 Closing the AI Liability Gap 📊

AI is rapidly reshaping clinical practice, but the law hasn’t kept pace.
When things go wrong due to a defective AI recommender tool and a patient is harmed, there is a risk that clinicians may be left wholly liable.

Our new UK policy paper, Closing the AI Liability Gap: AI, safety, and the case for legislative change sets out why the current framework is no longer fit for purpose and makes the case for reform, so responsibility is shared more fairly across clinicians, developers, and manufacturers.

We are calling for legislative change to bring AI systems within product liability law, helping to deliver fairer outcomes, stronger protections for clinicians and the NHS, and better incentives for safer AI design.

👉 Download the full paper now: https://bit.ly/4vvhKFE

Medicolegal challenges are part of every doctor’s career - yet formal training is often limited.
Join our practical course, delivered in collaboration with Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd, designed to build confidence in managing real-world scenarios.

From complaints and coroner’s statements to clinical negligence and death certification, learn from our medicolegal experts and gain the skills you need to navigate complex situations with confidence.

👉 Secure your place today: https://bit.ly/3P9Z0Mk

📺 Watch here to find out more: https://bit.ly/4g2URVv

Law At the Front Door This is "Law At the Front Door" by Learning and Teaching Academy on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Our Legal Services teams have done it again - double winners at the 2026 Industry Eagle Awards! 🥳

🏆 Litigation Team – Gold, Team of the Year: Operational Excellence

Their focus, determination and expertise ensure members are defended with confidence, supported through complex claims and protected at moments when their professional standing matters most.

🏆 Cases Team – Bronze, Team of the Year: Innovation & Transformation

By reimagining how we manage and support cases, they’ve strengthened cross team collaboration and elevated the member experience, ensuring no one feels alone during some of the most challenging periods of their career.

Behind every case is a member whose career, reputation and wellbeing are on the line. These awards recognise teams who never lose sight of that responsibility and who work tirelessly to provide an exception member experience and achieve the best possible outcomes for the people we protect.

Congratulations to the teams and all the nominees!

Attending were Ravi Gupta, Niamh Rigby, Steven Davies, Fadzai Wande

Antisemitism and other forms of racism have no place in healthcare. We support proposals by Lord Mann to improve reporting of incidents as well as accountability for NHS managers. However, we believe the report is wrong to propose retaining and expanding the GMC’s power to appeal decisions made by its own tribunal. This would not enhance the ability to challenge decisions about whether a doctor is fit to practice.

Read more here: https://www.medicalprotection.org/uk/articles/mps-comments-on-the-lord-mann-review-of-antisemitism-and-other-forms-of-racism-in-the-nhs-and-healthcare-regulatory-system

AI in healthcare is a powerful story, but this Medscape article by our Medicolegal Consultant, Dr Sara Jamieson, is a strong reminder of the risk of AI bias and our duty as clinicians to understand the limitations of any digital tool we consider using.

Could AI Bias Make Health Inequalities Worse? AI bias isn't just a tech problem — it's a potential patient safety issue that every clinician needs to understand.

✨ Did you know ✨

We offer protection for part-time UK consultants in the NHS from £363 per year?

Find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/4bFogTH

*Based on a UK medical consultant working exclusively in the NHS with less than 220 programmed activities (PA) per year. Subject to protection requirements and underwriting approval.