Taxpayers foot private hospital bill
The Department of Health yesterday confirmed that obstetricians working in private maternity hospitals have their insurance paid for by the State because the consultants cannot afford the expensive premiums. Spiralling claims mean private obstetricians cannot afford premiums in excess of 400,000 so the Government has stepped in the pay their indemnity cover. The obstetricians deliver about 4,000 babies each year and the public hospital system would not be able to absorb these numbers if the private consultants were forced out of business.
“The Government decided that it was necessary to offer a limited indemnity to the owners of these hospital in order to allow them to continue to provide these essential services,” a Department of Health spokesman said.
