I welcome the introduction of the National Health Service (Indemnities) (Wales) Bill. The fact that indemnity cover for GPs has been skyrocketing, and that this has had an impact on the profession, is why I supported the introduction of the future liability scheme. It's sad that the UK is becoming more litigious, and the explosion of medical negligence claims firms in recent times has undoubtedly contributed to the massive increase in indemnity costs we have seen in recent years.

As the explanatory memorandum to the Bill highlights, there has been around a 7 per cent per annum increase in indemnity costs in recent years. The Minister has previously stated that much of this increase can be attributed to the UK Government's decision to change the personal injury discount rate. However, the UK Government were right to ensure that victims with life-changing injuries receive the right level of compensation in order to cover future loss of earnings and ongoing care costs.

The rising cost of indemnity insurance is impacting our GPs and having a negative effect on recruitment and retention, and I don't think any of us here disagree with the intention of this Bill, which will see the extension of the indemnities scheme to cover existing liabilities. However, it is regrettable that this legislation was not introduced earlier, and, as a result, we have a limited time to scrutinise this Bill.

We have to ensure that this Bill results in an indemnities scheme that is as good as, if not better than, the schemes it is replacing. It is vital that the Welsh scheme provides parity with the English scheme. We must ensure doctors in cross-border areas have equity of cover. One of the big criticisms of the future liability scheme has been the need for a locum register, separate from the medical performers list, in order to provide cover for sessional doctors. I will therefore seek to amend the Bill during its passage through the Assembly to remove the need for a locum register.

It is also regrettable that Welsh Government have decided to use the negative procedure for regulations under the Bill. I will seek to work with other parties to amend the Bill so that regulations require the affirmative procedure.

Our GPs need this Bill or, rather, they need the indemnity scheme that this Bill creates. We have to ensure the existing liability scheme is fit for purpose, and I look forward to working with colleagues to improve the Bill and to ensure that the scheme is in place by April. Diolch yn fawr.