Web site link, CLICK HERE

Sessional GPs have called for a review of regulations after the family of a locum GP who tragically passed away on a ‘day off’ was denied death-in-service benefits.

The National Association of Sessional GPs (NASGP) said the GPC must negotiate for a change in terms and conditions as current regulations amounted to ‘exploitation’ of a loophole.

Under the existing rules, if a GP locum dies on a day when they are not contracted to work they are not covered and their family will not be entitled to the death-in-service benefit, even if the GP in question was scheduled in for a string of shifts.

NASGP highlighted the case of 40-year-old Dr Helen Sanderson, who died suddenly on Christmas Eve 2014, leaving behind a husband and two young children. The NHS Pension Scheme ruled that Sanderson’s situation could not be considered as a ‘death in service’ because she died on a day she was not scheduled to work.

Comment by Dr Ahmed Nana

Extremely sad and appalling situation. The ethos of the NHS as a family looking after its own is long gone. It seems the bma is not aware of this pensions anomaly Richard. Below is an extract from the bma website locums and pensions. It implies that if sessions are scheduled ahead then there is entitlement to death benefits even if death occurs on a "day off". 

Am I eligible for death in service benefits?
If you work exclusively as a GP locum, you will only be covered for death in service benefits if you die whilst contributing to the scheme.

If, for example, you are scheduled to locum for a practice for four weeks and were to die on a Sunday during those four weeks your spouse, nominated person or estate would receive a payment of twice your average dynamised earnings.

If, for example, you are scheduled to locum for a practice for five days from Monday to Friday of one week and you were to die on the Friday evening, after your scheduled work had ended, no death in service payment would be payable.

Even where death in service is not payable, the NHS pension scheme provides for another type of cover.

This story was featured in The Metro, page 17 on 25th August

BMA web site, CLICK HERE

I am a GP locum.  Am I covered for the death in service benefits?

If you work exclusively as a GP locum, you will only be covered for death in service benefits if you die whilst contributing to the scheme.

see also, CICK HERE