Vol. 515 No. 4
97 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the action, if any, he is taking in view of the recent revelations in a newspaper by the head of an organisation (details supplied) that approximately 100 general medical service general practitioners had no medical defence cover; and if he will ensure that health boards introduce new procedures in order that GPs who employ locums ensure they are fully registered and have medical indemnity. [6324/00]
General practitioners entering the general medical service are required to produce evidence of medical indemnity insurance. This is done as part of the recruitment process. In the case of locums engaged by health boards, health boards ensure that the locum has current medical indemnity insurance. Where a GP principal engages a locum, it is the responsibility of the GP principal to verify that the locum has current medical indemnity insurance. My Department will be discussing this matter with health boards with a view to putting arrangements in place to ensure that both GP contract holders and locums have current medical indemnity insurance.
