Rumour mill churns

For clinical negligence solicitors and campaigners alike, it has been an agonising wait which has clearly got to some.

The chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, was originally supposed to publish his findings on reform of clinical negligence early last year, yet still there is no sign of the long-awaited report.

However, there seemed to be light at the end of the tunnel the other week, when the new chief executive of Action for Victims of Medical Accidents (AVMA), Peter Walsh, sent out his first press release.

'The report was originally expected last year and it is now anticipated that it may be launched by the week commencing 13 January 2003,' it informed the Gazette in terms of barely concealed excitement.

Nearly three weeks on and everyone is still none the wiser about the government's intentions, with the Department of Health giving us its standard line that it still does not have a release date.

When questioned, a source close to AMVA admitted: 'I think it was based on rumour - and a bit of wishful thinking.'