asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation whereby Irish doctors applying to work in UK hospitals after 1 January 1990 will not have to belong to a medical defence organisation as the British Government will pay all the bills for medical negligence claims incurred arising from their public work; the plans, if any, he has to set up a similar scheme in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Medical Negligence Claims.
95.
I am aware that such arrangements will apply in the UK after 1 January 1990.
The situation in this country at present is that hospital consultants have between 80 per cent and 90 per cent of the cost of their medical insurance premia reimbursed by their employing authority. The Deputy may be aware that a recent claim by non-consultant hospital doctors for the reimbursement of medical defence subscriptions was rejected by the Labour Court. In addition, last year community medicine doctors were successful in a similar claim processed through the local authority and health services conciliation and arbitration scheme.
The question of insurance cover against claims for negligence and mal-practice is under consideration by my Department in consultation with the employing authorities.