John Gormley
Question:58 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2002 has not yet gone to Cabinet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22578/03]
Written Answers. - Medical Practitioners.
The Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Act 2002 (No. 17 of 2002) was enacted on 1 May 2002.
Under the provisions of this Act, the Medical Council was enabled to prescribe rules relating to the registration of medical practitioners, rules for the recognition of health care settings in which training may take place, rules relating to the recognition of primary qualifications obtained from EU medical schools for the purposes of internship registration and rules relating to short-term temporary registration, subject to my approval.
As the Deputy will be aware, I am currently carrying out a comprehensive review of the Medical Practitioners Act 1978. It is my intention that the heads of the Bill for an amendment Act, which are at an advanced stage, will be put before Cabinet as soon as possible. As part of this review process, consultations have been carried out with a number of bodies, including patient groups, medical representative organisations, and the key stakeholders in health service provision, regulation and postgraduate medical education and training. Some of the main issues under consideration are greater public interest representation, accountability and transparency, the fitness to practise procedures and competence assurance measures.
Question No. 59 answered with Question No. 11.