General Medical Services Scheme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004

Tuesday, 30 November 2004

Questions (155)

Arthur Morgan

Question:

198 Mr. Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a complaint made by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin against a doctor in 2001 was investigated by the Eastern Regional Health Authority; when this complaint was investigated and by whom; if she will make available to this person full details of the matters investigated by the health board; if she will make documentary evidence available that this complaint, regarding the doctor’s behaviour during the person’s last visit to them, was investigated; the reason the health board and her Department have refused to give transparent and open responses to this person in relation to the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31103/04]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Responsibility for the provision of services for medical card holders, including the issue of investigating alleged complaints against a general medical services contract holding general practitioner, lies with the chief executive officer of the relevant health board-authority.

My Department has previously referred the case referred to in the Deputy's question to the Eastern Regional Health Authority. The matter was investigated and the results of the investigation were communicated to the person in 2001. The contents of the files held at the Department and at the health board were forwarded in 2002 to the person under the Freedom of Information Act.