Hospital consultants’ indemnity scheme on hold

A CONTROVERSIAL State indemnity scheme for hospital consultants has been put on hold.

A delegation from the Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association (IHCA) was yesterday assured by Health Minister Micháel Martin that their existing medical cover, which includes private practice, will remain intact until agreement is reached on the terms of the new scheme.

The Government signed a statutory order just over a week ago implementing a new medical liability scheme but consultants opposed it because it does not indemnify their private practices.