asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the terms of the questionnaire being circulated to parents by the Southern Health Board in connection with the school medical service; that the questionnaire involves an invasion of family privacy; and that the information sought could be very damaging if it got into unauthorised hands; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Board Questionnaire.
6.
I do not for one moment accept that the issue of a questionnaire involves any invasion of family privacy since, as in this case, it is entirely a matter for parents to decide not only whether they will complete the questionnaire but whether they will allow their child to participate in the school health examination service.
The object of the questionnaire issued to parents of children who are being considered for school health examination is to obtain appropriate information about the children which might not otherwise be available to the school doctor and which would be of value to him in undertaking the school health examination. School health records, including the questionnaires completed by parents are regarded as confidential documents in the possession of responsible officers of the health boards and I am not aware of any case in which the information referred to has been disclosed to unauthorised persons.
We all realise the importance of this type of screening but is the Minister aware that more than the psychologist, the psychiatrist and the doctor have access to this type of information and is he satisfied that adequate protection would be given to this very confidential information? I am sure the Minister is also aware that if this type of information got into the wrong hands at any time it could be used against the child at a later stage. I should also like to know how long it is intended to keep this information on file?
I think it is intended to keep the information on file pending the continuity of school health examinations. In further reply to the Deputy, I have looked at the old questionnaire asked by Cork County Council and the extension of information required in the new questionnaire does not, in fact, constitute any element which could be regarded as asking anything more intimate than before of the parent who gives the information voluntarily. The extra questions asked are not anything which goes beyond the general concept of questions asked of parents in relation to health examination. I am satisfied that this information will be kept confidential and I might add that I have had no complaints about the disclosure of information from the more limited questionnaire that has been asked for years in regard to those attending school health examinations.
Would the Minister not agree that if the service were placed in the hands of the family doctor this would not arise? This is where it should be placed.
We propose to keep the system as it is at present.
We all agree that there is practically a confessional seal on this type of information as regards the medical profession but more than the medical profession have access to this information, as the Minister is aware. We all realise that this is important screening——
This is a speech, Deputy, not a question.
I am sure the Minister is aware that this is an important screening but is the Minister aware that this information can be just as easily given by the parent if the questionnaire is allowed to remain in the possession of the parent without having it sent off and filed away or the information fed into some computer and left there permanently?
The whole basis of modern child health services throughout the democratic civilised world is on the basis of medical cards kept until the person leaves the school or until he goes to the school, as in the case of the previous child health service. It enables us to detect disabilities that can be cured and the value of the fullest information being recorded is extremely important in order that the persons can be treated properly and looked after properly. I have had no complaints in my Department in regard to the disclosure of such information which has been given for a number of years in relation to the already existing child health services.