CNORIS

The Clinical Negligence and Other Risks Indemnity Scheme (CNORIS) has been in operation since 2000. NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is the Scheme Manager, with the Central Legal Office (CLO) providing legal advice and guidance to members. 

CNORIS covers:

• clinical negligence claims when they arise and are made against members in connection with the acts or omissions of their employees

• non-clinical claims and actions that arise following loss or bodily injury affecting third parties or employees or certain other pecuniary risks

Membership of CNORIS is mandatory for Scotland's:

• NHS Boards (external link)

• National Boards in Scotland (external link)

• Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland (external link)

On 1 April 2015 CNORIS was also broadened to allow Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) and Local Authorities (LAs) to become members at the discretion of the individual organisation.

CNORIS objectives

In addition to indemnifying members against losses covered by CNORIS, the primary objective of CNORIS is to provide cost-effective risk pooling and claims management arrangements for members.

Other objectives include:

• providing advice on clinical and non-clinical Scheme coverage to members

• supporting members to manage their risks and associated budgets by providing related information and analysis

• ensuring that contributions by members are allocated equitably through regular review of risk profiles and losses.

How CNORIS works

Each financial year the Scottish Government Health & Social Care Directorates (SGHSCD) funds all losses that exceed the CNORIS deductibles threshold. 

CNORIS currently has an agreed deductibles threshold of £25,000, with members paying all claim costs up to this value from within their own budgets.

At the end of each financial year contributions are then collected from members to repay the deficit accrued in-year by SGHSCD. 

Contributions by members towards the accrued in-year deficit are based upon a member's proportion of the overall risks assessed through the creation of clinical and non-clinical risk profiles.  

Reimbursements to members from CNORIS

 The table below shows the reimbursements made to members from CNORIS in millions of pounds in each year from 2012 until 2017.  



Scottish Government CNORIS links