Written answers

Thursday, 10 February 2005

Department of Health and Children

Clinical Indemnity Scheme

5:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 143: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she has endeavoured to resolve the matter of insurance cover for consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4431/05]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Since taking up my appointment as Minister for Health and Children, I have devoted a considerable amount of time and effort to attempting to resolve this complex and difficult issue. I have had several meetings with the organisations representing consultants. I have also held meetings with the Medical Defence Union and the Medical Protection Society.

The MDU has been involved in protracted discussions with representatives of my Department and their legal and insurance advisers on a possible agreement on the financing of claims which precede the establishment of the clinical indemnity scheme. These have been in progress for almost twelve months. Some progress had been made in recent weeks on key elements of the agreement, including the conduct of a due diligence examination of the MDU's financial position. However, the MDU abruptly terminated this entire process at the end of last week.

I believe that the MDU has treated its Irish members very badly in leaving them without indemnity cover. I am not aware that it is taking similar action with any of its UK members, whether GPs or consultants. I will ask my Department and the State's legal advisers to explore what options are open to individual consultants and the State to seek redress through the courts.

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