Vol. 488 No. 2
137 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of consultants or non-consultant hospital doctors under investigation by hospital management boards and health boards; the nature of the complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5884/98]
139 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of complaints made against consultants, non-consultant hospital doctors and general practitioners over the past five years; the nature of the complaints; the way in which they were dealt with; the results of any such inquiries. [5886/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 139 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is not available in the detail sought in my Department. My Department is requesting the relevant agencies to furnish the information sought and I will be in further communication with the Deputy as soon as possible.
138 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the case of a doctor (details supplied); the number of complaints which were made against this person; the nature of the complaints: if he has satisfied himself with the manner in which the inquiry was carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5885/98]
I have had inquiries made of the employing agency in relation to the case referred to by the Deputy. The agency has indicated that no complaints were made concerning the doctor by any patient or relative. An issue arose in early 1997 in relation to the doctor's practice concerning the administration and documentation of medication within the agency.
The agency promptly investigated the matter in what its chief officer is satisfied was a prompt, sensitive, thorough and conclusive way. It was dealt with confidentially and was closed within a matter of weeks. The doctor was found to have had no case to answer.
