asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that medical referees have certified persons as being capable of work who have been certified as unfit for work by their own dispensary doctors, with resultant great hardships for the persons concerned; and if he will review the position with a view to permitting the patient's certifying doctor to be present with the medical referee when such cases are under review or appeal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Certification of Fitness for Work.
63.
The main object of the medical referee scheme is to provide medical certifiers and deciding officers, who decide claims for disability benefit under the Social Welfare Acts, with an independent second medical opinion as to incapacity for work in the case of insured persons claiming or in receipt of disability benefit.
As part of the arrangements for obtaining such second medical opinion, the certifier is informed of the proposed examination and is invited to be present if he so desires. The certifier is also requested to furnish the medical referee with such particulars as to the history and present condition of the person as are likely to assist the referee in dealing with the case.