No decision on malpractice insurance

Members of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) adjourned their meeting with the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, …

Members of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) adjourned their meeting with the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, last night with no decision reached on the Minister's proposed new system of medical malpractice insurance.

An IHCA spokesman said "some progress was made" and a final decision will be made tomorrow. "It was a good, constructive meeting" he added.

The doctors representative groups are unhappy that the new scheme will take effect with less than a week's notice.

Industry sources are now speculating that if the decision isn't going to be made until tomorrow then July 1st is unlikely to be the start-off date for the new system of enterprise liability as proposed by Mr Martin.

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The Irish Medical Organisation also met with the Minister last night to discuss the proposal.

A spokeswoman for the Department said the Minister met with the two organisations and discussions took place on their concerns.

"Further consideration will be given to these issues and there will be further contact between both parties tomorrow" she said.

It is understood the UK-based Medical Defence Union will also meet with Mr Martin tomorrow.

The Irish Times understands that the Department of Health received legal advice and believes enforced implementation would not be in breach of the consultants common contract.

Under enterprise liability both consultants and hospitals would be indemnified by the State as a single entity.