Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 1990

Vol. 396 No. 3

Written Answers. - Work of Medical Referees.

Tony Gregory

Question:

145 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is satisfied with the manner in which his Department have dealt with the case of a person (details supplied) in Cork regarding his claim for disability benefit; in particular, if he is satisfied with the work of medical referees having regard to the fact that those referees (a) contradict the opinion of the person's own general practitioner, (b) contradict the opinion of an eminent consultant rheumatologist and (c) certified the person fit for work less than a fortnight before illness necessitated the person's admission to hospital for eight days.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

Payment of benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 26 September 1989 following an examination by a medical referee who considered the claimant to be capable of work. The claimant expressed dissatisfaction with this decision and a further examination was undertaken on 4 December 1989 by a different medical referee, who also considered him to be capable of work. At this examination the medical referee relied on information supplied by the claimant's own doctor and consultant, neither of whom made any reference to forthcoming hospitalisation.

In January 1990 my Department received further medical evidence stating that the claimant had been hospitalised for investigative purposes from 13 to 21 December. The advice of the medical adviser was sought. He considered that the claimant was incapable of work from 13 December 1989 and payment of benefit was restored from that date.

The person concerned has now requested that his appeal for payment for the period 26 September to 12 December 1989 be forwarded to an appeals officer for determination. Should the appeals officer consider that an oral hearing is necessary, the claimant will be advised of the necessary arrangements.

Tony Gregory

Question:

146 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare the diagnostic equipment which is available to medical referees operating in Cork city.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

Medical referees provide a second opinion to that of the person's own doctor for the guidance of the Department's deciding officers and they carry out such medical examinations as are necessary in each individual case.

Medical referees are fully qualified and experienced practitioners. In carrying out examinations, the referee conforms to the ethical conduct and behaviour guidelines of the Medical Council.

The referee reviews the history of the case including the initial diagnosis already made by the person's own medical practitioner, considers any fresh reports received and expresses an opinion based on the results of the medical examination of the claimant. All reports of examinations which have been carried out are submitted to my Department's medical adviser.

Each referee is required to carry diagnostic equipment for examination purposes, including stethoscope, auriscope, reflex hammer, aphygmomanometer and ophthalmoscope. He/she may be called upon to read and evaluate in the course of his/her examination any medical evidence submitted on behalf of the insured person. These conditions apply in respect of all the examination centres including the three centres in Cork City.