Vol. 562 No. 4
340 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children his view on the annual cost of insurance for a consultant obstetrician in the private sector after the introduction of enterprise liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6444/03]
Consultant obstetricians-gynaecologists in the private sector are covered by the agreements which my Department concluded in 2001 and 2002 with the Medical Protection Society to keep the cost of indemnity cover affordable for doctors in this speciality. The long-term arrangements to be put in place to maintain the cost of indemnity cover at an affordable level for this group are to be reviewed when the existing indemnity arrangements for consultants are replaced. The Government remains committed to maintaining the viability of the private health care sector and ensuring that indemnity cover remains available at an affordable level is an important contribution to the continued viability of the sector.
