Vol. 496 No. 7
44 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will extend the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, to give patients who have been treated in voluntary hospitals a right of access to their medical records; and when the necessary legislative changes will be made. [23818/98]
60 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will extend the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, to give patients who have been treated in voluntary hospitals a right of access to their medical records; and, if so, when the necessary legislative changes will be made. [22435/98]
150 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will extend the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, to give patients who have been treated in voluntary hospitals a right of access to their medical records; and when the necessary legislative changes will be made. [23819/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 60 and 150 together.
I announced recently that I have asked the Minister for Finance, under the Freedom of Information Act, to schedule the voluntary hospitals and the major voluntary organisations providing services to the public. It is intended to include such organisations under the Act with effect not later than 1 September 1999. My colleague, the Minister for Finance, will prepare the appropriate regulations for this extension of the Act.
