Vol. 571 No. 4
425 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to introduce controls and regulate the procedures carried out by members of the medical profession, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22240/03]
The Medical Council is the independent authority charged, under the Medical Practitioners Act 1978, with primary responsibility for the registration and regulation of medical practitioners.
The function of the Medical Council is to protect the public through implementing appropriate controls on the medical profession. The council pursues this objective by regulating access to the Register of Medical Practitioners.
According to their level of experience and their qualifications, doctors engage in practice, either independently or under supervision and are accountable through the Medical Council and-or the courts for any adverse consequences that may arise.
As the Deputy will be aware, I am currently carrying out a review of the current Medical Practitioners Act. It is envisaged that the heads of Bill for an amendment Act, which are at an advanced stage, will be put before Cabinet in the near future. As part of this review process, consultations have been carried out with a number of bodies, including patient groups and the key stakeholders in health service provision, regulation and post-graduate medical education and training. Some of the main issues under consideration are greater public representation and transparency, as well as the fitness to practice procedures and competence assurance measures.
