One of the main bodies which insures doctors here against lawsuits has today defended its decision to increase malpractice fees for obstetricians to over £390,000 a year from July.

As exclusively revealed by irishhealth.com at the weekend, insurance fees are facing a near six fold increase. The development is likely to lead to higher charges for childbirth.

In a letter to Irish obstetricians-gynaecologists, explaining the dramatic move, the Medical Defence Union's chief executive, Dr Michael Saunders today said that there is a potential for 20 claims of brain damage a year from cerebral palsy alone here.

The MDU said that 'in the absence of any clear solution to the litigation crisis' and despite discussions with the Department of Health on the issue, fees would have to rise from the current £68,665 to £393,000 from July.

According to figures, with 54,000 births here each year, the MDU said there is the potential in just one year for cerebral palsy cases claims to hit a total value of £24 million.

The MDU said that the problem was the small pool of doctors to fund payments for awards in a climate where there is a high frequency and size of claims.

There are over 100 consultant obstetricians in Ireland.