Vol. 405 No. 3
290 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Health whether, given the situation in which the Adelaide Hospital will find itself in the future in trying to maintain a Protestant ethos within a larger hospital framework, he will give consideration to adopting a policy whereby doctor/patient relationships would be governed by medical ethics alone and not limited by the ethics of the majority Church; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am not aware that the codes of ethics adopted by hospitals give rise to any difficulties in relation to maintenance of normal doctor-patient relationships.
I have stated publicly, on many occasions, my great respect for the traditions and independence of all the voluntary hospitals. I do not propose to interfere with that independence in any way.
In relation to the Adelaide Hospital, I have given repeated assurances on behalf of the Government that the Adelaide ethos will be protected in whatever management arrangement is agreed for the new hospital at Tallaght.
