Patients who wish to seek damages for alleged medical negligence will usually sue the medical practitioners involved and the health boards or hospitals.
Most health boards are insured by Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurance Ltd. Medical practitioners in Ireland are insured mainly by the UK-based Medical Defence Union or Medical Protection Society. Another company, St Paul's, has begun offering insurance to doctors in the Republic.
It is stated in consultants' contracts that they must have such indemnity cover.
Insurance premiums vary depending on the specialisation of the practitioner. Gynaecologists and obstetricians are among the specialists with the highest premiums, estimated at around £30,000 per annum. Normally the State will pay 80 per cent of the premium, leaving the doctor to pay the remaining 20 per cent.
Where a patient successfully sues a doctor and health board, there will be discussions and often argument over the degree to which each is liable.