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RCN indemnity scheme

Read more details about our indemnity scheme, including frequently asked questions. 

The RCN indemnity scheme may cover you against the financial consequences of a claim against you for clinical negligence. 

Generally, the RCN scheme could cover the following groups of members:

  • the self-employed
  • members who don’t work under a contract of employment (such as agency or bank workers)
  • volunteers, and
  • those acting in a Good Samaritan capacity.

The RCN indemnity scheme is not a policy of insurance. It is therefore very important that you check the terms and conditions as outlined in our comprehensive terms and conditions document. 

There’s no need to pay anything extra. RCN indemnity is included in your membership fee, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

Use our quick reference tool

If you'd like to check whether the RCN scheme could cover you, use our interactive tool below. Select the answers which best suit your circumstances to find out whether you're covered and what you need to consider.

Are you working under a contract of employment?

Please read section 2 of the indemnity terms and conditions for background if you need it.

If you're not sure whether you're an employee, you should ask for a copy of your contract and seek clarification from your manager without delay.

If you're sure, select Yes or No below to proceed.

Working under a contract of employment

If you work under a contract of employment, you should not need to arrange your own indemnity cover.

Your employer has vicarious liability (in other words, is responsible) for your actions and omissions at work and should provide appropriate indemnity cover for you. It is not appropriate for your employer to try to shift that responsibility, either onto you as an employee or onto the RCN as your union. This applies whether you work for the NHS or a private employer and as a result, the RCN scheme will not cover work undertaken under a contract of employment.

There is one very specific exception to this - where employed members provide paid-for travel vaccinations in a General Practice setting. For more information please see our frequently asked questions.

If your employer is refusing to provide cover for you, please contact us.

We're still here for you

Membership of the world’s largest nursing union means so much more than indemnity cover. You can still access a wide range of other services including workplace support, learning resources, professional forums and member discounts.

In particular, you can still access:

So, even if you don’t need RCN indemnity, we’re still here for you.

Which category of RCN membership do you hold?

You are not covered by RCN indemnity

RCN indemnity cover is not included as a benefit of:

  • Voluntary break
  • Retired
  • Joint educational (between the RCN and the UCU or EIS), or
  • Joint RCM membership.

You will need to arrange alternative cover for your practice if you don't have cover through your employer or another provider. 

What type or work or health care activity are you seeking indemnity cover for?

Indemnity for bank or agency work

Please read our indemnity terms and conditions, particularly section 3 (Working on a self-employed basis or running your own business) and the sections around agency/bank work. Please note in particular the information about umbrella companies.

You’ll also need to ensure you meet all of the conditions of the scheme (see section 5) and none of the exclusions apply to your work (see section 6).

Finally, you need to ensure you are providing a health and social care service that is deemed acceptable under the RCN scheme. You can find out more about what this means in sections 7 and 8 of our indemnity terms and conditions.

Requests for ‘proof of RCN indemnity’

There isn’t a specific policy number for RCN indemnity - like you would have for home or car insurance. Provided you satisfy our eligibility criteria, all you need is a letter from us confirming your RCN membership and a copy of our indemnity terms and conditions. The combination of these two documents should be sufficient.

Visit MyRCN now to view and download written confirmation of your membership.

Indemnity for self-employed work

Please read our indemnity terms and conditions, particularly section 3 (Working on a self-employed basis or running your own business).

You’ll also need to ensure you meet all of the conditions of the scheme (see section 5) and none of the exclusions apply to your work (see section 6).

Finally, you need to ensure you are providing a health and social care service that is deemed acceptable under the RCN scheme. You can find out more about what this means in sections 7 and 8 of our indemnity terms and conditions.

Requests for ‘proof of RCN indemnity’

There isn’t a specific policy number for RCN indemnity - like you would have for home or car insurance. Provided you satisfy our eligibility criteria, all you need is a letter from us confirming your RCN membership and a copy of our indemnity terms and conditions. The combination of these two documents should be sufficient.

Visit MyRCN now to view and download written confirmation of your membership.

Indemnity for voluntary work

Please read our indemnity terms and conditions, particularly section 4 (Voluntary work).

You’ll also need to ensure you meet all of the conditions of the scheme (see section 5) and none of the exclusions apply to your work (see section 6).

Finally, you need to ensure you are providing a health and social care service that is deemed acceptable under the RCN scheme. You can find out more about what this means in sections 7 and 8 of our indemnity terms and conditions.

Requests for ‘proof of RCN indemnity’

There isn’t a specific policy number for RCN indemnity - like you would have for home or car insurance. Provided you satisfy our eligibility criteria, all you need is a letter from us confirming your RCN membership and a copy of our indemnity terms and conditions. The combination of these two documents should be sufficient.

Visit MyRCN now to view and download written confirmation of your membership.

Indemnity for student placements

This includes both:

Please see page 11 of our indemnity terms and conditions document for more information.

Please note that the scheme will not cover you for any claim made in either the United States of America or Canada, irrespective of where the alleged negligence occurred. Also, student midwives will not be covered for providing intrapartum care (wherever in the world this takes place).

Requests for ‘proof of RCN indemnity’

There isn’t a specific policy number for RCN indemnity - like you would have for home or car insurance. Provided you satisfy our eligibility criteria, all you need is a letter from us confirming your RCN membership and a copy of our indemnity terms and conditions. The combination of these two documents should be sufficient.

Visit MyRCN now to view and download written confirmation of your membership.

Contact us for further help

On the basis of the answers you’ve given, we would like to put you in touch with a member of our advice team for a more detailed conversation - please contact us.

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As an RCN member, you can find answers to your questions about work,  and more, in our comprehensive advice guides. You can also find out how to contact our RCN Direct advice team. 
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