Legal News (Healthcare Law)

In a welcome development for both patients and hospital staff, the Health Service Executive (HSE) together with the Clinical Indemnity Scheme have recently launched National Policy and National Guidelines 2013 documents on open disclosure.

New monetary jurisdiction limits for the District and Circuit Courts are due to commence on 3 February 2014. The changes are provided for in Section 2(1) and Part 3 of the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013.

The long mooted increase to the limit for an award of solatium in fatal injury cases to €35,000 was introduced on 11 January 2014.

Tough economic times increase the risk for co-defendants in litigation, along with their insurers/indemnifiers, that one of them could end up footing the bill for a full award of damages - even if they have only been found partly responsible, explains Martha Wilson.

The High Court recently held that a woman was not entitled to a declaration a decision by the HSE’s effectively preventing her from having a home birth was unlawful.

The Medical Council has confirmed that it is now Council’s policy to request all doctors who are the subject matter of a complaint to participate in an audit so that the Council may monitor and assess compliance with the Medical Council’s Professional Competence Scheme.