Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I think we should have a debate on the report on the cost of medical indemnity insurance, in relation to the medical profession, which was launched by the Joint Committee on Health and Children this morning. The major problems being faced by people who are working in the private health care sector in this country mean that some positions cannot be filled. The annual professional indemnity insurance premium for a medical consultant is now €104,000. People might say this does not concern us, but it really does. I remind the House that 40% of all elective surgery in this country is done in the private health care sector. If positions in the private sector cannot be filled, that work will come back into the public sector, where there is already a shortage of medical expertise in some areas. We need to have a debate on this area, in which major reform is needed. The report sets out a number of key issues, one of which is the introduction of periodic payments in relation to claims to make sure people who have suffered as a result of an error or a mistake that was made get compensation at an early stage. I am thinking particularly of maternity cases, where the moneys are used to help and assist the family in dealing with the difficulties it has to deal with. The report also deals with the need for pre-action protocols to be introduced within the legal profession in dealing with cases. A number of other major issues are raised in the report. I think it would be helpful if the report were to be debated, rather than merely going on the shelf with many other reports. It is important for the proposals set out in the report to be implemented. If we take on board what is set out in this report, it will have benefits for all of us. I ask the Leader to consider making time available for a debate on this report.