The DDU's claims handling unit (CHU) is comprised of an experienced multi-disciplined team of claims professionals, all of whom are motivated by providing the best service that we can to our members facing a claim for compensation.

Prior to the first lockdown, two thirds of the DDU claims handling team worked at home and one third in the office. Overnight, and with the fantastic support of our IT department, we were able to get everyone working from home, providing a seamless service to members.

When dealing with a claim, it is key that we establish a relationship of trust with our members. Claims can be very stressful and may take several years to resolve, and it is absolutely essential we involve members at each stage to ensure they are fully informed and supported throughout.

Most claims are defended without a payment of damages, but when a claim needs to be settled, we cannot do that without member consent - hence the importance of that relationship.

In many cases, written correspondence or a conversation over the phone is sufficient, but it is very often necessary to meet with members. That would usually entail inviting members to travel to either the DDU's office in London or to an office of one of our panel solicitors for an initial meeting, and later, if necessary, to attend a conference - sometimes more than one - with a barrister.

Like the rest of the world, we have instead used a variety of video conferencing platforms to make sure we can maintain that personal level of service, albeit remotely. It isn't quite the same as meeting in person, but our experience, and that of members, has so far been largely positive.

Unexpected benefits

We have always recognised how difficult it can be for members finding time in their busy professional and personal lives to attend meetings, but without the need to travel we see a significant benefit to members with remote meetings.

Conferences with barristers were often even more of a challenge when trying to get a date and time that both the member and all of the expert witnesses could attend, and frequently we would have some experts meeting in person and some over the telephone, which was never ideal. Having everyone connecting remotely by video in our experience is a significant improvement.

Since the necessary closure of our office, we have also seen a move to all correspondence being sent via email. Again, we see that as a significant improvement in our service to members, enabling us to respond more quickly when a claim is first notified and throughout the life of the claim.

Following the initial easing of lockdown restrictions we continued with remote meetings. We are very much aware of the challenges facing members in continuing to provide care to patients in the midst of the ongoing pandemic, so it is very important to us that we support our members to be able to do that safely, and for our staff to able to work in a safe environment too.

Business as usual?

We also recognise the importance of continuing to progress claims. The pandemic has inevitably caused some delays - for example, in obtaining clinical records, arranging for claimants to be examined by experts and trials being adjourned - it has largely been business as usual. The vast majority of claims are resolved without the need to go to court and we have continued to successfully defend most claims. For those claims that need do to be settled, we have done so, again frequently making use of video conferencing.

Clearly as we face the prospect of further restrictions, the so-called 'new normal' is going to be around for some time to come. Once we are through the pandemic, we will continue to provide the high quality service that our members have come to expect, and we think remote video meetings with members and other parties will continue to play an important part of that. However, there are some circumstances where the experience of seeing someone in person can't be fully replaced, and we look forward to being able to meet our members again in the not-too-distant future.