Professional Indemnity Insurance

Appropriate professional indemnity insurance arrangements are essential for all practising nurses and midwives.

Since 1 July, 2010 the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law has imposed a specific obligation on nurses and midwives not to practise unless appropriate professional indemnity insurance arrangements are in force in relation to their practice. A failure to comply with this obligation will not only expose nurses and midwives in the event of negligence to the potential for uninsured civil liability, but may expose them to a charge of unprofessional conduct.

Every practising nurse and midwife needs professional indemnity insurance.
QNU members have got it.*  Any nurse or midwife…

• could be wrongfully accused of unprofessional conduct in both administration and clinical roles
• could mistakenly give the wrong drug to a patient
• could fail to accurately carry out all instructions for care in a busy ward
• could be involved in a court case even if only indirectly, or witness an accident
• could make a mistake because of workload stress, insufficient information or any other reason

The QNU's professional indemnity insurance protects QNU members:

• if you are sued for negligence or malpractice
• if you are sued for damages arising from a public liability claim
• if you are sued for defamation in connection with your work
• if you are required to give evidence at a coronial inquest

Members of the QNU who are undertaking nursing and midwifery work are covered by professional indemnity insurance of up to $10,000,000 for any one claim and $70,000,000 in the aggregate.

This covers compensation, claimant costs and expenses not in excess of the limit of indemnity. It also covers all other expenses incurred by the member not in excess of the limit of indemnity.

This is the most cost effective way for nurses and midwives to ensure they are covered at work.

* If you are an independent practitioner please contact the QNU to determine whether you are covered.

* Please note that midwives in independent practice are not eligible for cover.