Document Detail


A 'no-fault' cerebral palsy pension scheme would benefit all Australians.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22017320     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The Australian Federal Productivity Commission is proposing two new schemes to better support those with major disability. The main National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will provide long-term care and support for the disabled. A smaller scheme, the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS), will provide 'no-fault 'support for those following an accident or 'medical injury'. It is proposed that cerebral palsy (CP) is part of the NIIS. While this brings quicker and more equitable benefits to CP families, the scheme labels CP as a 'medical accident' and infers preventability. Obstetricians will fund much of the system. Despite being labelled a 'no-fault' system, maternity staff can still be litigated for extensive 'head of damages', eg loss of earning capacity. An additional option is for federal/state legislation to introduce a true 'no-fault' lifetime pension specifically for all children on CP registers. This pension would be graded by degree of disability and dependent on waiving civil litigation. Savings in medico-legal costs and potentially a 7% reduction in caesarean delivery would cover the estimated annual cost of $50 000 per annum indexed life pension for severe CP cases and the total annual cost of AUD $93 million for Australia. This pension and the NDIS would help cover the needs of children with CP without recourse to prolonged litigation and without detriment to the maternity services of Australia, caused by defensive obstetrics and maternity hospital closure because of CP litigation.
Authors:
Alastair H Maclennan
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-10-21
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1479-828X     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-10-24     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0001027     Medline TA:  Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Copyright Information:
© 2011 The Author. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology © 2011 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Affiliation:
Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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