About
From 1 April 2019, NHS Resolution is operating a new state indemnity scheme for general practice in England called the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP). The scheme covers clinical negligence liabilities arising in general practice in relation to incidents that occurred on or after 1 April 2019. CNSGP provides a fully comprehensive indemnity for all claims within its scope. Find out when and how to report a claim.
Scheme frequently asked questions
Yes. The administration of injectable contraceptives is an activity connected to the provision of primary medical services under a GP contract and hence in scope of CNSGP.
NHS Resolution can confirm that Physician Associates (PAs) working for general practice who are carrying out activities connected to delivering NHS primary medical services on behalf of the provider under a primary care contract in England, namely one which falls within Part 4 of the NHS Act 2006 (GMS, PMS and APMS arrangements), will be indemnified under the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP) for clinical negligence liabilities arising from incidents that occurred on or after 1 April 2019. This is because CNSGP provides indemnity cover for all GPs and staff working under an NHS GP contract in England in respect of liabilities in clinical negligence.
This indemnity extends to activities carried out by PAs which are connected to the delivery of other NHS services provided by general practice and known as ‘Ancillary Health Services’ where these services fall within the relevant definition in regulation 2 of the CNSGP Regulations.
GP partners/GP principals and other clinical staff responsible for the supervision of PAs within general practice can also be reassured that they will be indemnified as above, in respect of incidents involving PAs which result in a clinical negligence claim that is brought against the partners/principals or practice, or where their role in the incident involving the actions of a PA and resulting in a claim was limited to supervision of the PA.
Please note that indemnity under CNSGP is for liabilities in clinical negligence only. The scheme does not provide indemnity cover for non-clinical matters, advice or professional (regulatory) matters. We would recommend indemnity cover be obtained from an MDO or other indemnity provider for those matters outside the scope of CNSGP, such as non-NHS work.
For any enquiries please contact:nhsr.cnsgp@nhs.net
You may also find the following resources helpful:
CNSGP (GPI) scheme scope document
GPI reporting flowchart
Yes. The Enhanced Service Specification: Seasonal influenza vaccination programme 2025/26 enabled practices to offer their frontline patient-facing staff working in general practice a flu vaccination, effective from 1 October 2025.
This covers frontline patient-facing staff and locum GPs who are registered with the GP practice as well as those who are not registered with the GP practice but who elect to receive their vaccination from the GP practice (therefore including peer to peer vaccinations).
As the service is offered and provided under the terms of the seasonal influenza vaccination enhanced service specification and therefore under a primary medical services contract (GMS, PMS, APMS or Schedule 2L provisions under an NHS Standard Contract) the activity falls within the scope of the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP)
For further information regarding the 2025/26 seasonal influenza vaccination programme, please refer to the following guidance published by NHS England:
Enhanced service specification: seasonal influenza vaccination programme 2025/26: General Practice Enhanced Service Specification Seasonal influenza vaccination programme 2025/26
Additional guidance on the recording of flu vaccination events: NHS England » General Practice Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme Additional Guidance
In the first instance you should speak with your MDO. It is important to do this as soon as you become aware of your involvement or potential involvement in an inquest, so they can provide you with as much support as possible. Late notification may limit the extent of assistance that can be provided by your MDO.
NHS Resolution will only become involved if a claim is intimated or likely. If you believe that being involved in an inquest is linked to an incident that could result in a potential claim under the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice or whether a matter should be reported, please contact NHS Resolution by:
1. Email – nhsr.cnsgpnotification@nhs.net
– setting out the basis of your enquiry and we will either respond by email or telephone to discuss the issue further. Do not send any documents via email as they may contain patient sensitive data. Do not include any patient sensitive data in your email.
2. Telephone – call our Claims Helpline 0800 030 6798 at any time; 24 hours a day, 365 day a year to speak to a legal advisor about any clinical negligence claims covered by CNSGP.
For guidance and background NHS Resolution has made three short films providing information on what to expect when called to an inquest. They can be viewed here.
Documents for the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP)
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Scheme documentation
Claims Management beneficiary charter
Following the implementation of the General Practice indemnity schemes, which provide primary care clinicians and organisations with cover for clinical negligence claims, we have developed a GPI beneficiary charter to alleviate some of the uncertainties caused during the life of a claim. The purpose of the …
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Scheme documentation
What’s covered by CNSGP?
This document outlines types of work carried out by general practice staff and whether or not it is covered by the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP).
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Scheme documentation
CNSGP Scheme rules
The Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP) and Existing Liabilities Scheme for General Practice (ELSGP) scheme rules provide a general description of the schemes, the relevant liabilities, the benefits of the schemes, how disputes and appeals are resolved and how the schemes are implemented.
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Scheme documentation
Summary of the CNSGP scheme rules
This summary of the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP) scheme rules provide an introduction to the full scheme rules document.
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Scheme documentation
When and how to report a claim
These claims reporting guidelines will help beneficiaries of the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP) know when and how to report a claim.
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Scheme documentation
Responding to complaints
Effective local complaints handling is not only the right thing to do for patients but can help to prevent a concern escalating into a claim for compensation. This guidance provides some information on best practice.
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Scheme documentation
How long patients have to bring a claim
Courts apply rules to the time period for bringing legal action, known as limitation. This guidance sets out how limitation applies in clinical negligence cases.
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Scheme documentation
When compensation is due
Clinical negligence is complex, and finding out that a patient is bringing a claim against you can be stressful and confusing, it also can sometimes seem unclear as to whether something you have done or failed to do as a practitioner means that a patient …
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Scheme documentation
What happens when a claim is brought
This guidance sets out some of the procedural steps that you may encounter as a claim progresses towards resolution.
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Scheme documentation
Disclosing records
This document provides guidance on what you need to do when asked to disclose records for a compensation claim made against you.
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Scheme documentation
General practice indemnity guidance for CNST members
This guidance aims to explain the changes that will come about following the introduction of the state backed indemnity scheme for general practice (Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice, CNSGP) and to provide reassurance to members of our Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) that …
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Scheme documentation
General practice indemnity guidance for claimant solicitors
This document provides guidance for claimant solicitors following the introduction of the state backed indemnity scheme for general practice (Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice, CNSGP).
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