IMPORTANT: We are experiencing some technical issues with our phone lines for those calling us from Ireland. To contact us, please use the numbers below.

When calling from a landline:

  • Membership: 1800 509 132
  • Advisory: 1800 535 935

When calling from a mobile:

  • Membership: +44 207 2021694
  • Advisory: +44 207 2021582

If you experience any issues, please contact us via email at membership@themdu.com or advisory@themdu.com.

Do you feel like you're paying too much to your medical defence organisation? Especially as you're not doing any private work and very little fee-paying non-clinical work?

If you're working exclusively in a public hospital and indemnified by the State Claims Agency, you may think this is enough. But state indemnity only covers clinical negligence claims.

The MDU can offer you expert guidance where the state cannot, such as support with patient complaints, Medical Council referrals, inquests, disciplinary hearings and criminal investigations. Our membership is designed for registrars, senior registrars, specialist registrars and consultants solely engaged in public hospital work without any private clinical practice.

To be eligible, you can earn up €1,500 gross from specific non-clinical activities listed below, but your clinical work should be fully indemnified by the State Claims Agency scheme (enterprise liability).

Find out how you can benefit from MDU membership and easily get a quote.

Apply today Enquire now

What our membership provides

  • Tick 24-hour access to our team of experienced medico-legal advisers
  • Tick Support with Medical Council investigations
  • Tick Indemnity for certain fee paying non-clinical work not covered by state indemnity for earnings up to €1,500 gross per year (detailed below)
  • Tick Representation at disciplinary investigations that relate to professional conduct
  • Tick Help preparing responses to complaints
  • Tick Assistance with criminal investigations arising from clinical practice
  • Tick Representation at the coroner’s court
  • Tick 24-hour access to press and media helpline
  • Tick Indemnity for Good Samaritan acts worldwide

Indemnity for the following non-clinical work for earnings up to €1,500 gross per year

  • Tick Provision of medical reports
  • Tick Provision of witness statements for the Garda
  • Tick Provision of reports to the coroner
  • Tick Safeguarding work (adults and children)
  • Tick Assessment of testamentary capacity
  • Tick Signing death notification forms and cremation forms (including pacemaker removal)
  • Tick Academic, research and lecturing activities including the supervision of students and doctors in training
  • Tick Clinical and non-clinical audit
  • Tick Acting as an examiner for a Royal College or Faculty
  • Tick Medical assessor for the Medical Council
  • Tick Reports to the Mental Health Commission

Why you should choose the MDU

Guide

Guide

We offer our members expert guidance and personal support in addressing medico-legal issues and complaints.

Support

Support

98.3% of calls to the MDU medico-legal helpline are connected straight to a medico-legal adviser during normal working hours

Defend

Defend

Robust defence by medical experts and lawyers at Medical Council hearings.

Two steps to becoming a member

Get a quote icon

Get a quote

Get a quote now to find out how much you can save.

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Complete your application

When you’re happy to proceed, just complete an application form.

Republic of Ireland member guide for state indemnified doctors

Cover of member guide

Republic of Ireland member guide for state indemnified doctors

Find out more about the benefits of MDU membership for state indemnified doctors in the Republic of Ireland.

Read member guide

Joined before 1 January 2021?

Doctor and patient in conversation

Joined before 1 January 2021?

Your membership may be different. Find out more.                                                                                                                         

Membership information
My earnings from non-clinical work are more than €1,500. Can I still apply?

No. This type of membership is only appropriate for doctors whose annual income for non-clinical work is not more than €1,500 gross per year.

Do you provide indemnity for clinical work?

With the exception of Good Samaritan acts worldwide, you should have no expectation of assistance or indemnity for claims, costs or expenses from clinical negligence allegations. This is because your clinical work is indemnified by the State Claims Agency.

If you do clinical work that is not covered by state indemnity, this type of membership is not appropriate for you.

I do non-clinical work which is not on your list. Can I still apply?

Yes, providing your income will not exceed €1,500 gross per year. We will review the details provided on the application form and advise you further.

I am already a member of the MDU. Can I change my membership to the new membership?

Yes, but only if all of your clinical work is covered by state indemnity and your income from non-clinical work is not more than €1,500 gross per year.

The subscription for the new membership will include the right to continue to request assistance with new matters arising from incidents that occurred in your previous claims made period of membership.

If you leave the MDU, you may need to pay for an extended reporting period so you can continue to notify us about incidents from your previous claims made membership. 

You should also be aware that your current type of membership is closed to new members. You will not be able to go back to it in the future. 

What happens if I leave the MDU?

Our membership for state indemnified doctors is on an occurrence basis. This means you can ask for our assistance at any time as long as you were a member when the incident happened, even if you have since left, retired or taken a career break.

This is not the case if you joined before 2021 and are on our claims made membership.

Our guidance and advice

Guide

Mental capacity in the Republic of Ireland

Explaining the law surrounding mental capacity in the Republic of Ireland.
Guide

Introduction to consent in the Republic of Ireland

Doctors have legal, ethical, and contractual obligations to obtain patients' consent for medical examination and treatment in most circumstances.
Guide

Confidentiality and disclosure in the Republic of Ireland

Our introduction for doctors in the Republic of Ireland on confidentiality - one of the core principles of medical ethics.

Guide

Attending a coroner's inquest in the Republic of Ireland

Understanding your role and responsibilities when attending a coroner's inquest.
Guide

Access to records in the Republic of Ireland

It's important to understand who can access medical records and what you can disclose. Our quick guide lays out the essential information.
Guide

Responding to written complaints in the Republic of Ireland

Getting a complaint response right first time is the best way to settle concerns and to reduce the risk of a complaint escalating.

Guide

Testamentary capacity in the Republic of Ireland

Assessing a patient's capacity is essential for all doctors and there are medico-legal considerations. Here’s what you need to know.
Guide

Writing a report and being a witness in the Republic of Ireland

Your quick guide on how write a report as a professional witness.
Guide

The principles of good record-keeping in the Republic of Ireland

Good records support patient care - and can mean you're not vulnerable to criticism in the event of a complaint or claim.
Guide

Appearing in court or at a tribunal in the Republic of Ireland

Providing a statement will often be the last you hear of a matter, but there are occasions when you will need to attend court.
Guide

Deaths, inquests and the coroner: an introduction for doctors in the Republic of Ireland

An overview of the coroner's role in the Republic of Ireland, plus notifying and reporting deaths.