GPs fear being sued over infection

AN insurance wrangle could see GPs refusing to work if swine flu spreads across Britain, it was claimed today.

The British Medical Association said doctors were worried about being sued by patients claiming they were neglected because of NHS resources being overwhelmed.

Dr Dean Marshall, one of the BMA's negotiators on flu planning, said: "Doctors will be putting their lives on the line and it is only right they can feel assured they are properly covered."

Hospital doctors are covered by NHS indemnity insurance but GPs, being effectively self-employed, have to make their own arrangements.

GPs also fear that if they were to die on a non-work day, their families would not get death-in-service payments.