Vol. 418 No. 6
123 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the regulations, if any, governing the setting up, opening and provision of a medical service in private hospitals or clinics; whether his Department carry out regular inspections of these; if a detailed list of all medical procedures carried out is available to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The provision of acute medical services in private hospitals, other than maternity services, is not subject to statutory control by my Department. Maternity homes are governed by the Registration of Maternity Homes Act, 1934. The provision of psychiatric services is governed by the Mental Treatment Acts, 1945 to 1961 and services for the disabled by the Health (Homes for Incapacitated Persons) Act, 1964.
The above regulations enable inspections to be carried out by Department and/or health board personnel in facilities providing these services. In addition, all institutions are obliged to comply with general standards applying in areas such as hygiene, control of infection etc.
The medical profession is regulated by the Medical Council which is a statutory body established by the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978.
