Medical union messing with court, says judge

A HIGH Court judge yesterday criticised the decision of the Medical Defence Union (MDU) to withdraw indemnity from a consultant obstetrician who is being sued for €4.14 million the amount of a settlement approved by the court a year ago in favour of a 10-year-old girl who had cerebral palsy and other health complications.

Dr Brian Davidson is being sued by the North Western Health Board. The board is seeking to recover from the doctor the entire of the €4m plus which it paid out to Cheryl Doherty who sued through her mother Sarah Doherty of Seacrest, Roxtown, Clonmany, near Buncrana, Co Donegal.

The action had been set down for hearing on March 1 next but was adjourned by Mr Justice Johnson yesterday to allow Dr Davidson to get new legal advice. His counsel and solicitors had withdrawn following the MDU's decision last December that it would not indemnify him.