Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022
608. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the governance or regulations that exist in Ireland for those wishing to practice telehealth medicine by way of remote consultations with patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48070/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Medical Council is the independent statutory body which regulates medical practitioners in Ireland. It is the Medical Council's duty is to maintain the highest ethical standards and professional competence amongst registered doctors in the Republic of Ireland.
The Council gives guidance on all matters related to professional conduct and ethics for registered doctors in its “Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Professionals (Amended) 8th Edition” (available on the Medical Council’s website). This Guide is regularly updated and provides guidance to doctors on matters including professional conduct, responsibilities to patients, medical records and confidentiality, consent to medical treatment and professional practice.
Section 43 of the Guide relates to telemedicine and outlines that doctors providing telemedicine services to patients within the State should be registered with the Medical Council and that this is to maintain public confidence in telemedicine. The Guide advises that doctors should:
- make sure that patients have given their consent to conduct the consultation through telemedicine and consent to any treatment provided
- follow guidance in relation to advertising on websites or similar media
- protect the privacy of patient information through effective security measures
- protect patients’ privacy by following the guidance on confidentiality and medical records
- comply with data protection principles if transferring any personal patient information to other jurisdictions
- inform the patient’s general practitioner of the consultation
- be satisfied that the services provided through telemedicine are safe and suitable for patients.
Under Directive 2011/24/EU on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare, doctors providing telemedicine services are considered to be providing services in the EU Member State in which they are established. Such doctors are required to comply with the legislation, including the regulatory requirements, of that Member State only. If a doctor based in Ireland is providing telemedicine services in Ireland or in any Member State they must be registered with the Medical Council in Ireland.
