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Medical Indemnity Crisis reaches boiling point
Attendees at an AMA Victoria meeting of obstetricians last night confirmed that many clinicians have already decided to restrict their practice or retire altogether in order to avoid the impact of the proposed changes to medical indemnity after July 1 2003.
AMA Victoria President Dr Mukesh Haikerwal said the substantial turnout of obstetricians, many from rural areas, indicated that the crisis facing indemnity insurance had hit boiling point.
"The fact that so many doctors were willing to share their personal experiences and fears with us is a strong sign to the State and Federal Government that this problem is far from settled, in fact it is escalating. Action is urgent" said Dr Haikerwal
"There can be no arguing that we have a very challenging situation that will see many doctors leave the medical profession entirely as a direct result of the current medical indemnity uncertainty."
AMA Victoria Vice-President Dr Kate Duncan said obstetricians were feeling particularly vulnerable.
"Being an obstetrician myself I know what it is like on the frontline of the medical indemnity crisis and I know the very real nervousness and lack of confidence my colleagues are feeling" said Dr Duncan.
"Both the State and Federal Government really need to get their act together to ensure obstetricians, and indeed many other medical specialties, don’t become an endangered species."
"We only need to look to some Victorian country towns to see situations where obstetricians have ceased private practice altogether working solely in the public sector."
"In other more populated areas, we already have anecdotal evidence of nearly half the obstetrical workforce ceasing practice as of July 1 2003" said Dr Duncan
Dr Haikerwal said AMA Victoria was waiting with high anticipation to see what the Federal Government planned to unveil regarding indemnity insurance next week but reminded that progress could only be made in conjunction with significant State law reform.
"State tort law reform is vital to secure quality medical services for all Victorians" said Dr Haikerwal.
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