Laws for open disclosure in medical negligence cases

Health Minister Simon Harris will progress legislation aimed at open disclosure in cases of medical negligence.

The minister will also set up an expert group to reform the clinical claims process.

Mr Harris spoke at a patient safety conference in Dublin, where he announced the opening of a national Patient Safety Office.

“This office will lead a programme of significant patient safety measures focused on initiatives such as new legislation, the establishment of a national patient advocacy service, the introduction of a patient safety surveillance system and the setting up of a national advisory council for patient safety,” he said.

“Within that programme of legislation we will progress the licensing of both public and private hospitals. We will progress the Health Information and Patient Safety Bill to support open disclosure.”

“We are about to establish a new expert group to be led by the DoJE.”

Meanwhile, the director of State Claims Agency said “next year the total cost of the clinical indemnity schemes are likely to exceed to €300m for the first time”.