Dog bite - Locum nurse

Re: Dog bite - Locum nurse

Sal the 1st — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:44:11 GMT

yes that was basically what I was told - see earlier post. I lost 5 weeks work. Its also worth considering that even if you get insurance many dont pay out for the first 28 days - its only if your illness/injury lasts longer than this that they pay out (may not be the case for all of them but was with the 3 that I approached)

Re: Dog bite - Locum nurse

salliee5 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:39:42 GMT

Hey!

Yes, I'm fine now - all stitched up, no more infection, but still not back to work. I have spoken to my current boss and apparently I am not covered for loss of earnings, but I would have been covered if I had lost the use of my arm or something more serious.

I am actually quite disgusted by the whole thing, and luckily I haven't been in this situation before. I may be able to get SSP so at least its something.

I have also spoken to an insurance company who will insure me as a locum, but only if I set myself up as a company. And even then it'll cost £35 monthly for a 12 month contract. I have closely read my contract for my next position which is next week and their policy is the same, I'd get SSP but nothing else. SURELY this seems unreasonable?

My current boss said that none of his staff would have been insured if they were in the same situation, although to be honest he was speaking of the top of his head and wasn't too keen to call te insurance company to find out, I am not even sure if he ever did. I think with the nature of our jobs and the risk we put ourselves in daily this is something that needs to be addressed.

Thanks for all your comments and help, and further advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Sally

Re: Dog bite - Locum nurse

Faye Sewell — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:33:33 GMT

how are you feeling now? x

Re: Dog bite - Locum nurse

Gillian Mostyn — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:41:58 GMT

As I understand it, everyone is covered by the practice liability insurance - from vets to nurses to work experience students to owners. Accidents happen.....

Re: Dog bite - Locum nurse

Practice Manager — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:05:19 GMT

You will be able to claim against the practice insurance for the incident and this includes lose of wages for time off work. Although you are a locum you have been hired indirectly by the practice so they have a responsibility.

Thanks

Ian Thompson

Practice Manager

Ashfield Veterinary Group

www.ashfieldveterinarygroup.co.uk

Practice Management Consultant

www.PracticeManagementConsultancy.com

Re: Dog bite - Locum nurse

Sal the 1st — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:23:54 GMT

were you placed with the practice through a locum agency at all? (ie subcontracted)

not suggesting the locum agency has to pay you - just suggesting you were employed as apposed to self employed.

if so there may be some benefit you are entitled to - when I was locumming I picked up campylobacter and wasnt able to work for weeks. I know I got payment through the benefits agency but cant remember how it was done, (it wasnt a lot but better than nothing as I had loads of scripts to pay for) and it was down to the fact that I was subcontrcted and not self employed.

hope you are feeling a bit better

Re: Dog bite - Locum nurse

Nick Shackleton — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:10:05 GMT

ive had two really nasty bites in 12 years both endding me up with a week off work and one in hospital for 2 days. Glad I'm not a locum. anyways hope your on the mend and that your covered by your employer. take it easy

Re: Dog bite - Locum nurse

salliee5 — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:04:33 GMT

Thanks! Yeah I am fine - it was just badly infected so lots of debriding and anti biotics :( The owner of the practice is back on Tuesday so I'll ask him if I am covered by his insurance. It has made me realise thought that I should have my own insurance as a Locum. I must look into this!

Re: Dog bite - Locum nurse

Dippy — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:50:33 GMT

PS Hope you are ok? Must have been a nasty bite to need that much care

Re: Dog bite - Locum nurse

Dippy — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:49:38 GMT

If you are PAYE, I think you are eligible for employed staff rights. Whilst I'm sure that they probably don't pay sick pay as not many practices seem to these days (other than SSP after the appropriate date), I thought that if it was an accident at work, they had to pay you? I know when I was at the RSPCA, if it was classed as an accident at work, we had to pay staff full wages (and also report to H&S Executive as hospital treatment was required). Not sure wehter this was just RSPCA policy or legal requirement but can't imagine them paying if they didn't have to, being a cvharity, so worth taking advice from CAB or even the H&S people?

Re: Dog bite - Locum nurse

Gillian Mostyn — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:48:56 GMT

Not sure about pay - poss entitled to SSP?

However, you will be able to claim compensation from the practice's employers liability insurance for loss of earnings etc. Locums are covered under this. I doubt there will be any blame attached (unless it was a case of negligence?) but all practices have insurance to cover injury to staff - unfortunately it is a hazard of our job. The practice should already have reported the incident to their insurers. It should be able to be done amicably - just means a claim being put in. That's why we pay the premiums afterall! And no one should want to see you out of pocket for an injury sustained at work.