Liz

Sending red-faced apologies about your computer screen, but grateful 
for the uniquivocal message about insurance. The main point of my 
query was that I don't want to know about the costs of doing business 
- I want to volunteer - and the cost of insurance in UK, never mind 
that we may be a somewhat less litigious society, is way higher than 
yours. Nevertheless your guidance is clear.  Thanks.

Pamela Morrison IBCLC
Rustington, England

At 22:11 10/01/2012, Elizabeth Brooks wrote:
>Pamela, I have just finished cleaning up the coffee spew from my 
>computer screen so I can respond.  My heart has stopped racing ....
>
>YES YES no doubt about it YES you need professional liability 
>insurance if you are working -- even in a volunteer capacity -- as an IBCLC.
>
>I am more familiar with the USA system; I know you are in the 
>UK.  Volunteer (or pro bono) consultations do NOT absolve one from 
>all of the professional, legal and ethical responsibilities when 
>seeing a mother as an IBCLC.  The professional liability (or 
>malpractice)  insurance is back up for your clinical work -- not 
>your checkbook.
>
>In the USA -- lawsuit crazy USA -- an IBCLC can get a year's worth 
>of liability insurance for about $109.  That is nothing!  Where I 
>live, I get more than that for ONE in-home consultation.
>
>This is a cost of doing business!  You have to spend money to stay 
>certified ... you have to spend money to buy office materials and 
>create charts and travel to a mother's home (or) keep an office open 
>... you have to spend money to wash the clothes that the baby spit 
>up on during the consult..  Insurance is simply a part of what it 
>costs to do what we do.
>
>Obviously I respond through my Lawyer Lens ... but the peace of mind 
>that proper insurance provides a healthcare provider is worth much 
>more than we pay out.  Even baseless, ridiculous lawsuits must be 
>answered.  All it takes is one cranky, misguided lawsuit to ruin you 
>financially (not to say psychologically) ... even if you are 
>ultimately absolved of any wrong-doing.  The insurance pays for ALL 
>that very costly legal representation!
>
>--
>Liz Brooks JD IBCLC FILCA
>Wyndmoor, PA, USA

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