Out-of-court childbirth compo group stalled

AN EXPERT group set up by the Department of Health to examine the possibility of taking childbirth litigation cases out of the courts service has not met in over 18 months.

Yet the Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association (IHCA) has said that Irish obstetricians are facing mounting legal actions, leading to millions in damages and costs, which are “making private obstetrics practically uninsurable”.

Parents are also complaining that it can take up to 15 years for cases to be heard and that they are facing protracted battles with enormous legal costs.