Overwhelming Public Support For Medical Indemnity Reform

A telephone survey of a representative sample asked 400 people whether they supported reforming court processes to reduce legal costs, changing tax laws so that regular compensation payments to injured people were not taxed and establishing a tribunal to hear such cases instead of potentially lengthy and expensive court battles.

A total of 48 per cent of respondents indicated strong support and a further 35 per cent indicated support for the initiatives. Seven per cent showed neither support nor opposition, and eight per cent were opposed to the reforms.

Support for the reforms was particularly strong in rural areas.

AMA Federal President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said the survey results sent a clear message to government about the need to make the system fairer.

"The real issue with medical litigation is the impact it has on the regular day-to-day practise of medicine in this country.

"Doctors who deliver babies in NSW will next year face a medical insurance bill of around $70,000. It will not be possible financially for a significant number of them to continue practising obstetrics, particularly in regional areas," Dr Phelps said.

"The same will occur in neurosurgery and other specialty areas where there is the risk of an adverse outcome which may lead to life long disability for a patient."

Dr Phelps said doctors were not suggesting setting up a process that did not provide ample compensation in proven cases of medical negligence.

"We are arguing, however, against the current system where most of the compensation payout goes to the legal fraternity and where court cases can take many years to settle," she said.

Dr Phelps said it was time for Federal and State governments to move urgently on the issue.