Vol. 459 No. 6
87 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Health his views on calls by the Association of General Practitioners that doctors should have the right to opt out of treating certain patients without having to refer them to colleagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18172/95]
, Limerick East): The Medical Council's ethical guidelines for doctors state that, if a doctor has a conscientious objection to a given line of treatment for a patient, he/she must refer the patient to an appropriate colleague. This would apply in relation to all patients of a doctor.
In relation to the general medical services scheme, a participating doctor is obliged by contract to provide services, or arrange to provide services, for all patients on his/her panel. Therefore, if such a doctor has a conscientious objection to providing a particular service, he/she is obliged to arrange for another doctor to provide the service in question.
