Thursday September 19, 2024. The President of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has called for reform of the medical negligence system in Ireland, saying that the current system was leading to unnecessary trauma for patients in a highly legalised and adversarial system and a culture of over-referrals which was putting pressure on an already over-burdened health system.

Dr Denis McCauley, a GP and Donegal Coroner, will chair an IMO seminar in Dublin this evening (Thursday) to discuss the medico-legal environment in Ireland.

Speaking today, Dr McCauley said that the current system for medical negligence cases in Ireland, even taking into account recent legislative changes, is not in the best interests of patients or doctors with lengthy delays and costs leading to a change in how doctors will practice medicine. This is not always in the best interests of the patient and the dangers of over-referral and a culture of “defensive medicine” are bad for doctors, patients and the health system as a whole.

To counteract these unsatisfactory measures, Dr McCauley recommended that a system of no-fault compensation be introduced in Ireland, whereby the facts can be established and the patient can be compensated without the need to enter into lengthy costs legal battles which can compound the trauma for many years. “Such a system would be far more transparent, would enable the patient to have their issues addressed in a timely manner and would enable the doctor to concentrate on treatment and diagnoses without the overt threat of litigation.”