Vol. 421 No. 8
158 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his proposals arising from the recent reported comments of a person (details supplied) that most patients who sue a doctor for malpractice are not motivated primarily by greed but because they see no other avenue to redress their grievances; and if he will further outline what he intends to do about the patients charter in view of this statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The whole area of medical indemnity is presently being examined by an interdepartmental working group, representative of the Departments of Finance, Health, Justice, Industry and Commerce and the Attorney General's Office. The group are considering the various options available which would have due regard to the rights of both doctors and patients.
The patients' Charter will provide patients with a mechanism for having complaints investigated promptly.
The complaints procedure will not prejudice a patient's statutory rights to complain to the Ombudsman, the Medical Council or An Bord Altranais.
