Medical Defence Union Continues 'Doctors For Doctors' Tradition With New Chief Executive, UK

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Litigation / Medical Malpractice;  Public Health
Article Date: 18 Sep 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK's first and largest medical defence organisation for doctors, today announced that it has appointed Dr Christine Tomkins* as its new Chief Executive. She will take over from present Chief Executive Dr Michael Saunders** after his planned retirement from the MDU Board at the end of April 2009.

Dr Tomkins is currently Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Professional Services at the MDU, with responsibility for the services the MDU provides to its members, including the advisory helpline, help with investigations arising from their clinical care of patients, claims handling, in-house legal services and risk management.

Dr Christopher Evans, Chairman of the MDU's Board of Management, who made the announcement said: "The MDU has always retained a 'by doctors for doctors' ethos. Dr Saunders, with able support from the rest of the Executive, has highlighted the benefits of this approach, bringing the company into the 21st Century. The MDU consistently delivers the highest quality service and support to safeguard our members' interests and reputations and is the market leader. As part of this team, Dr Tomkins is perfectly qualified to continue Dr Saunders's work and we are proud to be the only UK MDO with a doctor at the helm."

Dr Tomkins added: "I want to thank Dr Saunders who has placed the MDU in the strongest possible position to offer members the help and security they need. Like him, I am committed to the MDU's values and purpose and recognise that our members expect and deserve the highest standards of service and support. I am delighted to have the opportunity to take on this exciting and challenging role and look forward to leading the MDU from strength to strength.

* Dr Christine Tomkins BSc(Hons) MB ChB (Hons) MBA FFFLM FRCS FRCOphth DO is an ophthalmologist by training. Dr Tomkins joined the MDU as a Medico-legal Adviser in 1985 and was appointed Head of Claims Handling in 1993, before joining the MDU Board as Professional Services Director in 1995. She was appointed Deputy Chief Executive in 2005.

**A former GP in Newbury, Dr Michael Saunders MB BS FFFLM MRCS LRCP DObstRCOG MRCGP was a member of the local medical committee and vice chairman of the Family Practitioner Committee. Dr Saunders joined the MDU in 1986 and became its Head of Professional Services in 1990. He was appointed as Chief Executive in 1995.

The MDU is a mutual, not for profit, organisation owned by our members who include over 50 per cent of the UK's hospital doctors and GPs. Established in 1885, we were the world's first medical defence organisation. We defend the professional reputations of our members when their clinical performance is called into question. Our benefits of membership include insurance for claims of clinical negligence and a wide range of medico-legal advisory services.

The MDU