A confidential meeting gives the doctors the opportunity to explain, and, freed from the shackles of the insurers, to apologise where an avoidable mistake was made.

Executives in charge of the six major companies were last week confirmed to be holding confidential meetings at least every two months to discuss market strategy.

Bank sources said this gave him a 'safe and secure environment' to have 'private telephone conversations or hold confidential meetings with colleagues - many discussing market-sensitive information'.

It also houses student and learning support services and includes private offices for confidential meetings.