Vol. 523 No. 1
535 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the changes he intends to make to the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978, to make the Medical Council more responsible and accountable in its dealings with complaints from the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19428/00]
536 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether an independent body should deal with complaints from the public in relation to medical practitioners rather than the Medical Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19429/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 536 together.
The Medical Council is the statutory body established to provide for the registration and control of persons engaged in the practice of medicine under the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978. The Act is being reviewed at present. Among the proposals being looked at are greater public representation on the Medical Council and a more responsive approach to deal with complaints against doctors.
