Indemnity costs ‘may close hospitals’

Doctors from four private hospitals in Cork, Kerry and Waterford held a "crisis meeting" in Cork yesterday over the threat to private practice from soaring medical indemnity insurance costs.

The hospital consultants warned that private hospitals will be forced to close and hundreds of jobs will be lost if the issue is not dealt with by the Department of Health.

They fear “a perfect storm” is brewing because of rising indemnity premia, a 25% drop in fees in the past six years, reduced activity because of the recession and soaring practice costs.