NSW: Doctors call for action to stem spiralling insurance costs

AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-2000
NSW: Doctors call for action to stem spiralling insurance costs

The Australian Medical Association says legal claims against New South Wales doctors
are growing so rapidly they could create future shortages of neurosurgeons and obstetricians.

The AMA says the skyrocketing cost of indemnity insurance brought the medical profession,
lawyers and the government together in Sydney for a law reform seminar today.

AMA state president, KERRYN PHELPS says NSW is now second only to New York State as
the most litigious place in the world for medical cases.

She says the worst affected doctors are obstetricians, neurosurgeons, orthopaedic and
plastic surgeons who were paying up to $60,000 a year for medical indemnity insurance.

Dr PHELPS says the problem is so bad that one third of the state's obstetricians no
longer deliver babies.

She says if the situation goes unchecked, it could lead to a shortage of doctors in
areas seen as at high risk from litigation.

Dr PHELPS says the NSW government's healthcare liability reference group has been working
on the issue and an options paper is ready for state cabinet.

AAP rds/rp

KEYWORD: DOCTORS (SYDNEY)

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