Consultants condemn Martin’s plans for court fight

HOSPITAL consultants yesterday hit out at Health Minister Micheál Martin’s plan to fight the €800 million historic liabilities they could face in the British courts.

The British Medical Defence Union (MDU) and Medical Protection Society who have insured Irish consultants to date, now say that they may not cover an Irish consultant being sued by a public patient because their past premiums may not cover the costs.

Protracted negotiations aimed at securing a deal between British insurance companies and Mr Martin have failed to secure any agreement on who should foot the bill for compensation claims against Irish consultants.