Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 3

Written Answers. - Claims against Hospitals.

Frank Crowley

Question:

20 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Health the concerns, if any, he has at the level of litigation arising from claims made against hospitals, hospital staff, administrators and other personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

As Minister for Health I have to be concerned at the rising level of litigation involving hospital and health service staff. I share this concern with many of my collegues in Government who are also seeing significant increases in claims against public authorities.

Two years ago one of my predecessors as Minister for Health established an inter-departmental working group to look at the problems then arising from the rapid increase in medical indemnity costs. The group has been looking at possible alternatives to the existing arrangements for providing medical indemnity cover. As a result of some of its interim recommendations, the medical indemnity scheme for non-consultant hospital doctors was introduced in 1992 which stabilised the cost of providing cover for that group. The group has appointed actuarial advisers who are about to complete a study on the Irish liabilities of the medical defence organisations. I would hope to have the final report of the working group in early 1995.

I should also add that my Department is supporting a number of pilot studies in risk management in 1994. These pilot studies will attempt to identify areas of risk and devise strategies to reduce the incidence of claims.