Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2015
134. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if his Department has carried out any reviews, or has plans to review, the process of issuing of sick certificates, by general practitioners; the guidelines that are in place to determine the length of such sick certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8442/15]
View answerParagraph 11 of the 1989 General Medical Services (GMS) contract between the HSE and GPs stipulates that the duties of the GP under the contract include a requirement to furnish to a person whom he/she has examined and for whom he/she is obliged to provide services (or, in the case of a child, to his/her parent) a certificate in relation, to any illness noticed during the examination which is reasonably required by him/her or by the parent as the case may be. Such examinations as the doctor may carry out on a patient prior to the issue to him/her of first and final Social Welfare certificates are comprehended by the capitation payments. Payment under this contract is not made in respect of certain other certificates required, e.g. under the Social Welfare Acts or for the purposes of insurance or assurance policies or for the issue of driving licenses.
The Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners states that:
"In issuing certificates, reports, prescriptions and other formal documents, you must be accurate and make sure the document is legible. You must also include your Medical Council registration number. Normally you should only sign a certificate or other such prescription, report or document for a patient following review of the patient’s condition”.
I understand the Medical Council’s website advises the public and employers that all complaints received relating to this issue will be thoroughly investigated and action will be taken should a doctor be found to be in breach of the Guide.
