While the lawyers are unhappy, Australian doctors think a no-fault scheme system is a great idea. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) even wants to see people crippled by medical mishaps included in the scheme.

Andrew Pesce, Chair of the AMA’s medical professional indemnity taskforce, says if doctors were included in a no-fault scheme, many injured patients would receive the long-term care they needed. It would also help doctors obtain affordable PI cover.

“The AMA has been telling the Federal Government for some time that a long-term care scheme for the severely disabled is the important final instalment in its much-welcomed medical indemnity reforms,” he said.

“A long-term care scheme would add security, certainty and fairness to the Australian medical system and provide appropriate care for the injured without costly confrontation legal battles.”