Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1633. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health for an update on the patient safety (licensing) Bill; if this Bill will introduce a licensing requirement for individuals practising aesthetic medicine in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37800/23]
View answerThe Department of Health continues to work on the Patient Safety (Licensing) Bill which will, for the first time, introduce a licensing requirement for all acute hospitals, public and private, and certain designated high-risk activities in the community. The general scheme of the Bill was approved by Government, underwent Pre-Legislative Scrutiny at the Oireachtas Joint Committee of Health and is currently with the Attorney General’s Office for drafting.
Preliminary scoping work has seen consideration given to the kinds of activities that may be designated under this aspect of the legislation. It could include, for example, medical, surgical or dental procedures carried out under anaesthesia.
These "high-risk" activities provided outside of the hospital setting are referred to in the Bill as “designated activities”. Designated activities will be provided for by regulation and are likely to initially include some cosmetic surgery services, . Research has been carried out and is ongoing in this area to ensure that an appropriate list of high risk designated activities are identified for inclusion within this licensing scheme.
Anyone practising medicine, including Aesthetic Medicine, in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council in accordance with the Medical Practitioners Act 2007. Members of the public can verify the registration of a medical practitioner on the Council’s website.
