Tag: EthiQal

Categories : Ethics and LawTags :

iTOO Enters Strategic Partnership with Medical Professional Indemnity Specialist EthiQal

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Sora Shimazaki

iTOO Special Risks, a specialty risk underwriter and EthiQal, a medical professional indemnity provider for specialist doctors, have announced an exciting strategic partnership. This collaboration, backed by Hollard, one of South Africa’s largest non-life insurers, aims to bolster EthiQal’s mission to protect healthcare professionals with robust, reliable coverage and medico-legal support.

Together, the partnership reinforces the comprehensive suite of medical malpractice insurance cover available across the spectrum; iTOO’s focus on allied professionals, General Practitioners, institutions and clinical trials continues and EthiQal remains focussed on specialist practitioners.

Together this partnership unlocks valuable opportunities to achieve the shared vision of strengthening the protection of the medical profession, without which the delivery of high quality healthcare is not achievable.

EthiQal Reinforced

EthiQal’s dedication to safeguarding specialist practitioners aligns perfectly with iTOO’s extensive network and expertise in specialty insurance. This partnership,  ‘EthiQal Reinforced,’ aims to leverage the strengths of both entities to enhance their offerings and deliver world-class products and services to their clients.

“We are saying  this partnership is ‘EthiQal Reinforced’ because while EthiQal is already a strong entity, together with iTOO, it becomes even bigger and stronger,” says Justin Naylor, CEO at iTOO. “iTOO’s extensive network and resources bring additional and complementary skills and capabilities to support EthiQal and its customers.”

Naylor further elaborates, “We have a 20-year track record and well-established risk underwriting capability with a market-leading diverse product range, backed by a complete cradle-to-grave infrastructure. This partnership combines the expertise and track records of both iTOO and EthiQal, reinforcing their excellent offerings.”

EthiQal’s Vision and Strengths

Alex Brownlee, CEO of EthiQal, highlights the alignment of principles and vision that initially brought the two parties together. “iTOO brings a legacy of deep insurance expertise, an extensive network, and additional skills that complement our own. This partnership provides enhanced financial backing, stability, and reliability,” says Brownlee.

Brownlee emphasises the focused and niche market that EthiQal serves, which requires leading risk management support. “Medical malpractice, particularly in fields like obstetrics, spinal surgery, neonates and neurosurgery, involves high risks and long-duration claims. This has driven us to develop deep expertise and understanding of the medico-legal landscape,” he notes.

EthiQal’s team includes a dedicated clinical team, an in-house legal team available for urgent advice and legal support, and personalised quality service. Brownlee assures that the partnership will not change the way EthiQal does business, nor change its products or services, but will reinforce and support the dedicated and steadfast EthiQal team in their commitment to support doctors.

Financial Resilience and Support

EthiQal has strong financial capacity, with a Solvency Capital Requirement above 120%, well beyond the regulatory 1-in-200-year event solvency requirement. The firm enjoys continued financial backing from Dr. Christo Wiese’s Titan Group and reinsurance cover from Lloyd’s of London. Along with iTOO and Hollard, this combination offers improved financial support, stability, and reliability “for our clients’ benefit”, Brownlee stresses.

“EthiQal offers incredible value for medical specialists, and Titan will continue to invest significant resources to build EthiQal’s capacity to measure, mitigate and absorb medical malpractice risk. Alex Brownlee and the team’s drive and capability is what attracted us to the business and what will ensure EthiQal continues to offer value to its policyholders and broker partners”, says Titan’s investment executive Zac Pitsillis.

Engagement and Education

Brownlee also confirmed that EthiQal will remain actively involved in the medical community through conferences, presentations, and educational grants. “Over the last 2 years in particular we have been extremely active in sharing our knowledge and insights, aiming to support doctors and their medical societies.”

Commitment to Quality and Service

“This partnership with iTOO, backed by Hollard, reinforces the quality and value of EthiQal’s products and people, demonstrating confidence in EthiQal’s future and the team that makes it happen,” Brownlee concludes. “The alignment in our values, vision and approach to clients is a critical reason why this partnership is ideal.”

Categories : Healthcare Politics and Regulations IT in HealthcareTags :

Earn CPD Points with EthiQal’s Webinar on Record Keeping

On By ModernMedia

On Wednesday 5 June at 18:00, EthiQal cordially invites you to attend their ethics webinar, “Documenting care: Effective record-keeping and requests for records”.

Hosted by Dr Hlombe Makuluma, Medicolegal Advisor at EthiQal, this webinar will be co-presented by two admitted attorneys, Mashooma Parker and Jessica Viljoen, who are both legal advisors within the claims team at EthiQal. The 90-minute session will cover compliance for record-keeping requirements as well as dealing with requests for patient records from patients and third parties.

Participants will gain valuable insights to ethically enhance their practice’s visibility and reach, fostering responsible and compliant advertising practices.

Mashooma Parker is a skilled Legal Advisor within the Claims & Legal team at EthiQal, specialising in medical malpractice. With a strong background in the legal field and a passion for assisting healthcare practitioners, Mashooma brings a wealth of expertise to navigate the complexities that arise with patients and third parties. Hosting the first topic, She will cover the requirements for healthcare practitioners to ensure quality record-keeping compliance with Booklet 9 of the HPCSA’s Ethical Guidelines.

Jessica Viljoen is an admitted attorney and legal advisor specialising in professional indemnity insurance for healthcare practitioners, and medical malpractice law. With her extensive experience within the medico-legal space, including her years of litigation experience, Jessica leverages her industry knowledge to provide legal advice and assistance to all specialties of medical practitioners throughout South Africa. She will present the second part of the talk, which will deal with Patient and Third-party requests for patient records and how to ensure compliance with the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000.

The speakers will offer some useful tips from a medico-legal risk management perspective for health practitioners to be cognisant of, as well as to work through some practical examples to illustrate the importance of the topic.

At least one hour’s attendance on the Zoom Platform is required to earn CPD points, and for those unable to watch it live, a recording will be made available.

Click here to register now

Categories : Medical IndustryTags :

Ethics Webinar: Advertising Your Practice

On By ModernMedia

We are excited to extend a special invitation to you for our upcoming webinar on March 13th, titled “Advertising Your Practice.” Following the tremendous success of our previous webinars, we are thrilled to present this insightful session featuring industry experts JP Ellis, Claims & Legal expert at EthiQal, and Athol Gordon, Partner at Clyde & Co, renowned for their expertise in medical negligence.

This webinar will provide valuable insights into effectively advertising your practice, drawing from their extensive experience and expertise. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and network with other professionals in the field.

Date: March 13th

Time: 19h00 – 20h30

Location: Zoom (Online)

Please register here: https://webinar.ethiqal.co.za/  to secure your spot.

We look forward to your participation and insightful contributions during the Q&A session.

Categories : General InterestTags :

This Doctors’ Day, EthiQal Says “Thank You!”

On By ModernMedia

I hope this newsletter finds you in good health and high spirits. As part of Doctors’ Day on 16 November, my team and I wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation for the incredible work you do every day.

On this special occasion, we celebrate you and your fellow doctors for the remarkable impact you make on the lives of those you serve. Your expertise, resilience, and compassionate care contribute to the betterment of our community and the well-being of countless individuals. We recognise the challenges you face, especially in these unprecedented times, and we are inspired by your continued efforts to provide exceptional healthcare.

At EthiQal, we take pride in supporting doctors like you. We are committed to ensuring that you have the comprehensive insurance coverage you need, allowing you to focus on what matters most – your patients.

To mark this occasion, we extend our warmest wishes for a Happy Doctors’ Day! May you find time to reflect on your accomplishments and the positive impact you’ve made on the lives you’ve touched.

As a token of our appreciation, we have created a small thank you video. Please click on the video below – it may be a small gesture, but we hope it brings a smile to your face and serves as a reminder of the impact you make every day.

A ‘Thank You’ Doctors’ Day video from EthiQal

We are also donating, on your behalf, to the Healthcare Workers Care Network (HWCN), a nationwide healthcare worker mental health support network with the slogan ‘Caring for the Carers by Carers’. They do great work supporting doctors, sustained only by financial donations and pro bono work.

Thank you for your tireless dedication, and we look forward to continuing to support you whilst you focus on making our nation healthier.

Wishing you a Happy Doctors’ Day!

Warm Regards

Alex Brownlee

EthiQal CEO

Categories : Ethics and LawTags :

Understanding the Basic Steps to Obtaining Informed Consent

On By ModernMedia

Taking the time to obtain proper informed consent is one of the most effective ways to avoid medico-legal challenges. Other than building the doctor-patient relationship, it ensures that patients do not encounter unpleasant surprises on their care journey which may result in unnecessary anger and blame. 

Informed consent is a process where you provide information sufficient to enable the patient to make an informed decision relating to their healthcare. Although the signature of a consent form often constitutes completion of the consent process, a signature on a consent form without a balanced discussion does not constitute informed consent.

Informed consent is both a legal and ethical requirement. The National Health Act gives patients the right to be informed of the various treatment options available, and the benefits, risks and costs of each treatment option. It also gives patients the right to participate in decisions regarding their treatment and the right to consent before any treatment is given unless it is an emergency and they aren’t able to consent. From an ethical perspective, informed consent has two main objectives, firstly to respect and promote patients’ autonomy and secondly, to protect patients from potential harm. Medical intervention with a patient’s body is potentially an infringement of the constitutional right to bodily integrity and is legally wrongful unless there is a ground of justification. One such ground of justification is patient consent.

  • Knowing your patient will help focus the discussion during the informed consent process. Enquire about your patient’s personal circumstances, expectations and fears, and assess their understanding of medical concepts and ability to make decisions.  
  • Use simple language and avoid technical terminology when discussing medical facts.
  • Ensure your patient understands their medical condition and its natural history before discussing treatment options. This lets them know what to expect without treatment.
  • List the range of diagnostic procedures and treatment options generally available.  For each, highlight potential benefits and risks, including recognised complications and any potential follow-up treatment.
  • Explain the possible need for emergency management of unforeseen conditions that may emerge.
  • Discuss cost implications and payment responsibility. This considers medical aid coverage, any out-of-pocket costs, the cost of the different procedures, as well as any complications.
  • Allow an opportunity for questions and answers.  Encourage your patient to ask questions. Test your patient’s understanding. Let patients contact you prior to the planned procedure, if they have more questions or concerns.

If a patient has specified that they would rather a procedure didn’t go ahead in the event of certain clinical findings, the patient’s decision must be recorded and respected.

If the patient decides to consent to an intervention, obtain their signed written consent. The patient’s details, health status, the treatment options discussed and the procedure to be performed must be entered into your consent form.

Document complications that have a reasonable likelihood of occurring and/or which are likely to be of importance to your patient, considering personal circumstances.

For example, an abnormal sense of touch after carpal tunnel syndrome surgery may affect a practising dentist more significantly than a retired librarian. 

  • Ensure that your consent form documents that no guarantees or promises have been made regarding the outcomes of the procedure and the patient has a right to refuse the procedure.
  • Your consent form must include any discussions relating to financial consent, the use of anaesthesia and blood products and the need for emergency management in the event of unforeseen complications.
  • Check that the patient initials the document and signs with the correct date. Countersign and date the consent form. Attach any relevant patient information sheet to the informed consent form and allow the patient to take a copy and keep one for the practice.

Consent remains valid until it is withdrawn by the patient or until their circumstances change in a meaningful way. However, if significant time has passed since the original consent was obtained, you may need to update and document your discussion with the patient. Additions or corrections to the consent form must be dated, timed and signed by both parties.

Trust EthiQal to provide you with local legal advice and professional support when you need it most.

EthiQal is a division of Constantia Insurance Company Limited, a licenced non-life insurer and an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP 31111).

Categories : General InterestTags :

There’s no better time to say ‘Thank You, Doctor’

On By ModernMedia

Doctor’s Day is celebrated on 16 November to acknowledge and thank South African doctors for the exceptional services they deliver on a daily basis. EthiQal is proud to continue to honour this annual tradition of celebrating doctors countrywide, this November.

“The challenges that our medical professionals have confronted and overcome over the last year have been astounding,” says Alex Brownlee, EthiQal executive.

“The pandemic has placed immense pressure on doctors and their families, through the increased personal risk of exposure, the frustration associated with delayed surgeries and erratic schedules, and the emotional trauma of seeing more suffering and fatalities.”

EthiQal’s Doctors’ Day initiative is celebrating its fourth year running in 2021. Through its “This is why we say thank you” campaign, EthiQal calls on the country to express gratitude to its doctors for their bravery and commitment, by sharing their healthcare hero stories on the dedicated Doctors’ Day webpage.

In return, five lucky entrants that share their gratitude stories will each receive R1 000 in cash. What’s more, EthiQal will donate R10 000 to the Healthcare Workers Care Network – a nationwide healthcare worker support network that offers all healthcare workers across the public and private sectors free support, pro bono therapy, resources, training and psychoeducation.

To qualify, participants must submit their stories by visiting www.doctorsday.co.za, before 25 November 2021.  Follow the Doctors’ Day stories on social media. (Facebook: @ethiqaldoctor; LinkedIn: EthiQal)

EthiQal proudly also celebrates its 5th birthday on Dr’s Day. EthiQal is the only South African provider of occurrence-based medical professional indemnity insurance for doctors. The dynamic team at EthiQal believes that doctors are national assets and are committed to protecting their well-being and future.