Minister for Care (): Further to the Minister for COVID Vaccine
Deployment’s written statement on 18 January 2021, I am tabling
this statement for the benefit of Honourable and Right Honourable
members to bring to their attention the undertaking of a
contingent liability. This relates to an extension of the
Designated Settings Indemnity Support (DSIS), which offers
targeted and time-limited state-backed indemnity arrangements to
care homes registered, or intending to register, as “Designated
Settings”, and which are unable to obtain sufficient insurance
cover.
On 18 January 2021, the Minister for COVID Vaccine Deployment
announced in a Written Ministerial Statement, and accompanying
Departmental Minute, provision of these temporary indemnity
arrangements under the DSIS. The DSIS includes cover for clinical
negligence, employer’s and public liability where a care provider
seeking to become a Designated Setting is unable to secure
sufficient commercial insurance, or where an existing provider
has been operating without sufficient cover. Employer’s and
public liability is covered under the new Coronavirus Temporary
Indemnity Scheme; clinical negligence is covered by the Clinical
Negligence Scheme for Trusts. The DSIS is supervised by DHSC and
administered by NHS Resolution, and to date, has proved to be an
effective package of support to Designated Settings.
DSIS initially provided cover for Designated Settings until the
end of March 2021. Following a review of DSIS, it will now be
extended until 30 June 2021, in order to maintain the current
level of support for these vital settings. This extension will
benefit current DSIS participants, as well any additional
settings who may wish to apply for the support and who meet the
criteria for inclusion. A review of DSIS will take place in early
June.
I regret that in this circumstance, due to the need to ensure
that there are no gaps in DSIS cover after the current 31 March
end-date, the normal 14 sitting days for consideration has not
been possible. A Departmental Minute will be laid in the House of
Commons providing more detail on this contingent liability.
