Written Answers. - Medical Council Inquiry.
Bernard Allen
Question:
188
Mr. Allen
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the way in which a person (details supplied) can still practise here despite losing his appeal against his removal from the United Kingdom register; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31432/01]
Bernard Allen
Question:
193
Mr. Allen
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he has had discussions with the Medical Council's fitness to practice committee or the Medical Council regarding the situation where an inquiry regarding a person (details supplied) has not commenced.
[31437/01]
I propose to take Question Nos. 188 and 193 together.
Ireland has a very strict regulatory regime which is designed to ensure only competent, properly qualified medical practitioners can work in this country. No doctor is allowed to practice medicine in Ireland unless he or she is registered on the register of medical practitioners. The overriding rationale behind these requirements is to ensure the protection of the public.
Under the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978, the Medical Council is the independent body charged with regulating medical registration. When this issue surrounding the appointment in 2000 of a locum consultant psychiatrist by the South-Eastern Health Board was brought to my attention, I immediately made arrangements to meet the Medical Council and the board.
Following the briefings by the South-Eastern Health Board and the Medical Council, I decided to appoint an independent person, Ms Maureen Lynott, to review the circumstances surrounding the case with a view to establishing whether and how procedures or regulations may be improved.
The South-Eastern Health Board has informed me that it employed the named doctor in a locum capacity from 17 April 2000 until 5 November 2000. He was employed at St. Luke's Psychiatric Hospital, Clonmel until 31 July and from 14 August at St. Canice's Psychiatric Hospital, Kilkenny.
I have been advised by the South-Eastern Health Board that the temporary appointment was made following the board's advertisement of the post and in accordance with the board's recruitment procedures. The South-Eastern Health Board has informed me that it did not receive any complaints regarding the named doctor during the period of his employment with the board. The board has established a help line for patients who may have concerns in relation to their contact with this doctor.
I would like to reassure the Deputy that it is the intention of my Department, the health board and Medical Council to ensure the protection of patients and to promote confidence in the health service and we are all taking steps to ensure that these aims are met. In this context, I have been advised that the Medical Council has obtained an order from the High Court suspending the doctor in question from the General Register of Medical Practitioners from 13 November 2001, pending the outcome of an inquiry by the Council's fitness to practise committee early next year.
