Physiotherapists who carry out Ultrasound Examinations: Do you need additional Insurance?
It may be useful to consider additional Public Liability Insurance (PLI) if you are a Physiotherapist who is working as a Sonographer.
Public liability insurance is designed for professionals who interact with members of the public. It protects against claims of personal injury or property damage that a third party suffers (or claims to have suffered) as a result of your activities.
The stance from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is that ‘Diagnostic ultrasound is accepted within the scope of physiotherapy practice where it is used to assist with diagnosis and decision making in physiotherapy practice. However, when or if you are working as a Musculoskeletal Sonographer, and not as a Physiotherapist, you will not be covered by the CSP’s PLI scheme.’
For example, if patients are booking and attending for a scan only you would not be working as a Physiotherapist, you would be working as a Sonographer. If you are offering Physiotherapy management and intervention within the package of care and a diagnostic ultrasound forms only part of this package, you would be working in a Physiotherapy role.
However, if working within an NHS setting then you should be covered by your employing NHS Trust although it maybe worth checking this to ensure that they know what you are doing. If you are working independently in the private sector or as a locum then additional insurance maybe needed.
To clarify further the CSP scope pages help you determine the distinction between the 2 roles
For CSP members who require further advice it maybe worth contacting the CSP broker, Graybrook. They should be able to advise on suitable insurance for Sonography as well as consider your total circumstances and advise if any other insurance is required.
Graybrook Insurance Brokers Ltd
8 Chandlers Way
South Woodham Ferrers
Essex CM3 5TB
01245 321185
I would suggest that other professionals such as Medical Doctors, Osteopaths and Chiropractors particularly working in the private sector also check with their professional bodies to ensure adequate cover.
