The date should reflect when the primary incident or allegation type occurred. Where the 'Primary incident or allegation type' reflects a series of events that occurred over a period of months (for example, repeated failure to diagnose a condition), the date when the first event occurred should be recorded. For example, where a missed diagnosis was the main, dominant or primary cause giving rise to a medical indemnity claim, the date recorded should reflect when the diagnosis should first have been made, but was not.

This data element is equivalent to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (2006) National Claims and Policies Database data item 9 'Date of loss' which collects information on the date on which the incident giving rise to the claim is believed to have occurred.