Sandy Fowler () (CHERE, University of Technology, Sydney)
Abstract
The last two decades have seen major changes to the medical indemnity system in Australia, the number and size of claims has soared, cover type has been restricted, premiums have become risk-rated and there has been a move from an unregulated system of mutual organisations offering discretionary cover to a regulated insurance market offering contractual agreements. Whilst medical indemnity is not mandatory for doctors, all physicians treating public patients in public hospitals have an indemnity policy covered by their employer. This paper provides a synopsis of the medical indemnity system; however, in light of events in 2003, with the resignations of more than 100 NSW and Queensland doctors being submitted, the paper will also attempt to provide an explanation as to why this medical indemnity crisis has come about.
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Publisher Info
Paper provided by CHERE, University of Technology, Sydney in its series Discussion Papers with number
56.