A SCOTTISH company has been hailed as the UK’s fastest growing indemnity provider for doctors and dentists.

New figures show the Glasgow-headquartered Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) has cemented its position as the indemnifier for those in the medical and dental professions picking up most new members, it said.

The mutual business, which protects the professional interests of more than 50,000 clinicians throughout the UK, revealed in its annual report and accounts for 2019 that membership had grown by 8.7 per cent in 2019.

Despite “very challenging” market conditions, including the introduction in England and Wales of state-backed indemnity schemes, the company has seen its membership books grow by nearly 44% since 2016.

There was a strong performance in growth across all the healthcare sectors in which MDDUS provides indemnity, advice and round the clock specialist medical and dental support to its members.

READ MORE: Hospital staff to wear face masks 'throughout their shift' under new guidelines

The number of hospital doctors joining grew by 10%, and there was a yearly growth of eight per cent in the number of dentists joining the mutual.

Meanwhile, in the face of substantial policy changes to the provision of indemnity for general practitioners south of the border, there was 5.4% growth in the number of GPs joining MDDUS to use its services there.

The number of GPs joining in areas which fall outside of these state-backed indemnity schemes was 4.2%.

Chris Kenny, chief executive of MDDUS, said it has been a “strong advocate” for members, adding: “Our focus has been firmly on the value proposition we offer new and existing members.

“That’s paid off with another strong increase in the number of doctors and dentists choosing MDDUS as their professional indemnifier.

“What has been particularly pleasing is the number of GPs from outside Scotland joining us.

“This shows there is still a demand for the wrap-around service of expert advice and support we provide our members even after the introduction of state-backed indemnity.”