Vol. 467 No. 7
90 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the way in which a member of the public is meant to be informed when a medical practitioner is prevented from practice by the suspension of his registration under section 51 of the Medical Practitioners Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14209/96]
Limerick East): Section 51 of the Medical Practitioner's Act provides that the Medical Council may apply to the High Court, in relation to complaints made against a registered medical practitioner, for an order suspending the registration of the doctor concerned where the council decides that it is in the public interest to do so. This application, as provided for in the section, is made and heard in camera. The order, if granted, is immediately furnished to the doctor. The court, in granting the order, may direct that in certain instances the order may be published to other parties including the public at large. The court would take into account in this regard the requirements of the public interest including the basis upon which the order was sought in the first instance. The court requires that when it makes such an order that a sworn inquiry will be held into the complaints, as provided for in the Act, and the order remains in force, normally until the inquiry has been completed and a decision has been made by the Medical Council and all proceedings arising therefrom have been concluded.
The provisions of the Medical Practitioners Act 1978, including the provisions of section 51, are being reviewed at present. I hope to be in a position to bring forward legislation amending the Act by the end of the year.
