The two levels of membership

The difference between full and standard membership

This page sets out the main difference between Full and Standard membership. It does not however, try to explain the extensive benefits of PDA membership for either membership category. The reason for this is that the actual benefits of PDA membership are too extensive to be fully described on one page. However they can be comprehensively found in the benefits section of this site.

Defence association combined with insurance protection

PDA membership benefits derive from two sources.

1. ASSOCIATION type benefits :

   • PREVENTION e.g. The Advice Centre, education etc.

   • INFLUENCE e.g Research and lobbying and listening to your views.

   • EXPERTISE as provided by both the internal staff and the Advisory Board.

2. DEFENCE type benefits :

   DEFENCE benefits involve defending your reputation and are underwritten by insurance. This involves actively defending you with full legal measures in the event of 'The Big 5':

   • Civil claims
   • Professional disciplinary procedures
   • Prosecutions
   • Employment disputes
   • Locum contract disputes

Full membership

Provides BOTH the Association type benefits and all of the Defence type benefits described above.

The Defence type benefits are underwritten by two types of insurance - Legal Defence Costs AND Professional Indemnity - this combination provides you with up to £500,000 worth of legal defence AND if necessary will also settle any compensation on your behalf in the event that your error has led to the harming of a third party (a civil claim) up to a limit of £5,000,000.

Standard membership

Provides all of the Association type benefits described above, but only some of the Defence type benefits.

Standard membership is underwriteen only by Legal Defence Costs insurance, this provides up to £250,000 worth of protection, and it will NOT settle any claims for oompensation in the event that your error has led to the harming of a third party (a civil claim).