Vol. 517 No. 6
242 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has for new medical indemnity proposals to reform the way in which medical insurance is provided; and the further plans he has to shift from the existing system, where consultants are responsible for insurance cover, to enterprise liability where health boards provide insurances for the hospitals. [10634/00]
244 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the discussions, if any, he has had with the Department of Justice about reform of the medico-legal area; and the steps being taken to address the spiralling medical litigation. [10636/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 244 together.
In December 1999 the Government agreed in principle to introduce changes in the manner in which the health service insures itself and its employees against claims for clinical negligence. The Government has also asked that consideration be given to the introduction of a no fault scheme for brain-damaged infants. My predecessor and the Attorney General met representatives of the Medical Defence Union and the medical protection society at the end of last year to discuss changes in the way in which personal injury claims are dealt with by the courts. The two organisations have since made written submissions to the Attorney General on reform in this area.
