§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has for switching liability for negligence claims against hospital doctors from medical defence organisations to health authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe rising cost of medical defence subscriptions has been of concern to doctors and to the Government for some years. In 1988 and 1989 the Government are reimbursing two thirds of the cost of defence subscriptions to hospital doctors on whole-time contracts and to doctors on part-time contracts who work wholly for the National Health Service. This is an interim arrangement following a recommendation by the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body in its 1988 report.
On 20 March 1989 we issued a consultative paper proposing that health authorities should take financial responsibility for negligent acts and omissions of their medical and dental staff in the course of their National Health Service employment. We have asked for comments from interested organisations by 5 May.
A copy of the paper has been placed in the Library.