Patients and consultants ‘used as pawns’ by firm

A BRITISH firm that has refused to provide insurance cover for obstetricians was accused yesterday of using patients and consultants as pawns in their row with the Department of Health and Children.

Both the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) and the Irish Patients’ Association (IPA) described the Medical Defence Union’s (MDU) stance as reprehensible behaviour.

The MDU has pulled cover from up to 10 obstetricians involved in past malpractice claims, saying it was the responsibility of the State to indemnify them.