Hospital insurance row grows

Insurance for some hospital consultants will be withdrawn in less than two weeks unless a row over hospital liability is resolved.

Private insurance company the Medical Defence Union is warning it will withdraw cover for publicly-appointed obstetricians by May 12 unless a number of issues with the Department of Health are resolved.

It could mean that hospital consultants would not be insured for some negligence claims. Dr Donal Duffy of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association has said it is a very worrying position for doctors and patients.