AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2001
Rural doctors may stop delivering babies
Country women may be forced to travel to the city to give birth as rural doctors think
twice about delivering babies.
Australian Medical Association Queensland president SHANE SONDERGELD says the spiralling
cost of indemnity insurance is forcing many country doctors to reconsider delivering babies.
Dr SONDERGELD says one of the doctors' biggest insurers, United Medical Protection,
has called for an extra year's subscription to be paid by members over the next four years.
He says this could amount to between $60,000 and $100,000 extra for doctors in some
specialties, such as obstetrics.
The AMA is calling for urgent legal reform to help ensure indemnity costs remain affordable
to country medicos.
Dr SONDERGELD says the AMA wants patients who win a claim to get a pension for life
and a small lump sum, reducing the pressure on the funds.
AAP RTV nr/geb/jmt
KEYWORD: BABIES (BRISBANE)
2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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