Doctors.net.uk helps put docs in the dock

Doctors.net.uk, the online medical network of UK doctors, has teamed up with Capita Health Solutions (CHS) to enable doctors to register as legal experts for a new medical evidence service.

From this month CHS will provide Doctors.net.uk’s members with the opportunity to work in the medico-legal field. The doctors involved will deal directly with CHS for the medico-legal work, but will remain part of the Doctors.net.uk medico-legal community and benefit from the trust and support that it offers.

Doctors.net.uk will supply free online training to guide doctors through the steps of becoming a medico-legal expert. Support from other doctors experienced in the field will also available through a dedicated online discussion forum. In addition the online doctors’ community firm will provide standard document templates, such as standard letters for requesting medical records

Medico-legal reporting involves engaging doctors to provide reports on people who have been injured by an accident, which could range from road incidents, industrial accidents to simple ‘slips and trips’. Medico-legal reports are provided by either GPs or consultants to assess the injuries sustained by the injured party.

These reports provide a time-specific prognosis on how long the injuries sustained will take to resolve, and help insurance companies ascertain appropriate levels of compensation.

CHS will offer doctors guaranteed payment for their services and by the end of 2005 will be seeking to settle doctors’ accounts within 60 days of the invoice being raised.

Erik Jan Scholten, Commercial Manager for Doctors.net.uk, said: "We are delighted with the opportunity to partner with a company of the stature of Capita. The stability of the Capita business plan in the medico-legal field looks set to provide an exciting opportunity for both Doctors.net.uk and its members."

CHS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Capita Group Plc, and is one of the UK’s leading corporate healthcare providers with more than 25 years’ experience in occupational health provision. It covers over one million employees and services 100,000 medical referrals per annum.