Vol. 417 No. 9
230 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement regarding the ever increasing serious situation where over 1,000 non-consultant hospital doctors are now supporting the proposed defence fees boycott scheduled for 1 July 1992, and the steps, if any, he is taking to avoid this boycott.
An inter-departmental working group, established in January this year, are presently examining the whole area of medical liability. The group hope to have an interim report available before the end of May.
Although non-consultant hospital doctors receive a reimbursement of 90 per cent of the net cost of their medical defence fees, I understand that they are threatening not to renew their premiums from July this year. However, I will await the presentation of the working group's interim report before deciding what action, if any, is required.
