Swine flu jabs in doubt as GPs fear lawsuits
A QUESTION mark still hangs over how many GPs will deliver the swine-flu vaccine to at- risk patients because of fears of being sued.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has given the country's 2,000 GPs until Wednesday to sign up to give the vaccine to 400,000 patients with certain medical conditions from next Monday. It is still unknown how many doctors have signed up.
However, GPs received an email over the weekend from the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), the doctors' union, urging them to get clarification on key issues from the HSE before signing up.
The IMO said it has concerns in relation to the extent and nature of the legal indemnity being provided to doctors.
Chief executive George McNeice said it received legal advice that the State indemnity cover would include a doctor whose patients develop side- effects to the vaccine.
But it is still unclear whether a doctor can be sued if he or she opts not to become involved in the scheme.
Legal complications may also arise if there are problems with storing the vaccine. "Similarly, if a patient were to complain (about) a doctor to the Medical Council for failing to administer the vaccine, it appears that the costs of such a fitness-to- practice claim may not be covered. As we have not been furnished with a copy of the indemnity we are not in a position to confirm or comment on any conditions that may attach," he warned.
"GPs are accordingly advised to seek a detailed response to the questions identified in our letter yesterday before committing to the programme.
"The IMO has sought clarification in relation to the points but has not received a satisfactory response to date."
He said if the IMO receives reassurances on this it would encourage doctors to take part in the vaccination scheme.
Manpower
It has already been argued that not all GPs will have the necessary manpower or databases to be able to reach all their at-risk patients and the HSE has given them short notice that they were to become involved.
The HSE is under pressure to provide clarification in the coming days or some doctors may opt not to become involved in this first stage of vaccination.
If there are gaps in certain areas, the HSE will have to set up its own clinics, staffed by its own doctors and nurses.
It is estimated that around 400,000 people with underlying medical conditions will be in line for the vaccination from next week and the HSE says it expects to have received enough vaccine for the first round.
If people have to get just one dose, as opposed to two, it will mean the HSE can then move on to healthcare workers who will be vaccinated in health facilities and children who will get the jab in school.
- Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent
Irish Independent
