The strength of mediation is its low cost, short duration and confidential nature. The added value that doctors can bring is the knowledge of medical practice, procedures and resources. With the abolition of public funding for clinical negligence claims, and the availability of funding for mediation of those disputes, this appears to be the perfect time for the profession to grasp the opportunity to lead the field in this area.
"The Dispute Resolution Commitment (DRC) requires government departments and agencies to be proactive in the management of disputes, and to use effective, proportionate and appropriate forms of dispute resolution to avoid expensive legal costs or court actions." Ministry of Justice - www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/mediation
The course will provide delegates with the skills required to practice as a mediator. There is a substantial practical element during which delegates will examine various types of disputes that are likely to occur in the medical profession. Examples might be a dispute within a GP Practice, a workplace dispute between medical staff, a clinical negligence claim against a Trust or a clinical negligence claim in the private sector.
At the end of the course, following successful assessment and satisfactory completion of an open book exam, delegates will become accredited mediators. As such the training would not confine you to mediating medical disputes, but also allows you to practice your skills in community and commercial disputes, should you so wish.
Experienced personal injury expert mediators charge £2,500 to £3,000 for a four to six hour mediation - some much more. Junior mediators beginning to work charge between £500 and £750 for three hours. Details of how work can be obtained will be provided on the course.
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