Dinny McGinley
Question:33 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Health when the report of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Medical Indemnity will be to hand.
Written Answers. - Medical Indemnity.
The interdepartmental working group to which the Deputy refers was asked to consider all aspects of medical indemnity. However, because of the escalating cost of indemnity premiums and threatened industrial action by non-consultant hospital doctors, the group was asked to examine any short term solutions to these immediate problems.
The group has submitted its interim report which outlined the measures which were implemented to overcome these problems. The group is now proceeding with the second part of its remit which will include an examination of possible longer-term alternative systems of providing indemnity and of compensating patients who are victims of medical accidents. The group hopes to be in a position to submit its final report early next year.