Hospital consultants to be warned on lawsuits

CONSULTANTS are to be warned they should take steps to protect themselves from being sued by patients whose health has suffered as a result of hospital cutbacks.

The Irish Hospital Consultants' Association is to draft a set of protocols which will lead to patients and their GPs being informed that consultants are not responsible for bed and theatre closures. The association is concerned patients may hold consultants rather than hospital administrators responsible for unacceptably long waiting lists.

The association's general secretary, Mr Finbarr Fitzpatrick, said. In addition to the serious concern for the health of patients, consultants themselves are worried that they, rather than the hospital authorities, may be sued in the event of irreparable damage to the health of a patient who has been on a waiting list for longer than is medically advisable.

Patient admissions are being cancelled by hospital administration without reference to consultants, and cancelled theatre time has led to delayed or cancelled operations. Consultants have been advised to keep copies of letters where they outline to the authorities their disagreement with cutbacks, cancellations or deferments.

Copies of letters, should be sent to the consultants medical insurance society, the association recommends.