Vol. 539 No. 1
239 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the reported decision by the Medical Defence Union to raise the subscription levels for obstetricians and gynaecologists here; the reasons for this decision; the implications of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18643/01]
I am aware of the recent increase in the subscriptions to be charged to obstetricians by the Medical Defence Union. I have met the union on several occasions in the past year to discuss this and associated issues. It attributed the increase in subscriptions to a rapid rise in the cost of meeting claims arising from babies born with cerebral palsy or suffering from other forms of brain damage.
While this development is of concern it does not have any immediate implications for the delivery of obstetric services here as the other medical defence organisation providing indemnity cover in Ireland, the Medical Protection Society, has indicated that it is willing to accept into membership any obstetrician member of the MDU who wishes to transfer to it. This development emphasises the need for us to press on with the Government's plans for reform of the arrangements for providing indemnity cover for hospitals and doctors.
