Vol. 543 No. 1
60 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children his proposals regarding the escalating cost of insurance cover for obstetricians; the progress which has been made by the working group on the development of a no-fault compensation system for birth-damaged children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25603/01]
The cost of providing medical indemnity cover for obstetricians and public liability insurance cover for hospitals with obstetric services has been of concern for some time. The increase in the cost of this cover reflects the size of the awards made by the courts to infants who suffer brain damage at birth, plus the high legal costs associated with these complex and difficult cases.
In June one of the two mutual medical defence organisations offering cover in Ireland, the Medical Defence Union, announced that it proposed to charge its obstetric members in Ireland a subscription of £393,000 – 499,007 – per annum for those renewing their membership after 1 July 2001. I understand that most, if not all, of the doctors concerned have transferred to the other mutual defence body, the Medical Protection Society, which offers cover to Irish obstetricians for £51,600 – 65,518 – per annum.
The advisory group examining the feasibility of introducing a no-fault scheme for infants who suffer brain damage at, or close to, the time of birth has already held two meetings and a further meeting is to be held on 5 November. The group hopes to produce at least an interim report by the summer of 2002.
