Martin Cullen
Ceist:31 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Health the action, if any he proposes to take on the Medical Council's decision that doctors may refuse to treat certain patients, that is, those suffering from HIV infection.
Written Answers. - Refusal to Treat Patients.
The Medical Council published the fourth edition of its Guide to Ethical Conduct and Behaviour and to Fitness to Practice last month. In so doing, the council was exercising its statutory powers to give guidance to the medical profession generally on all matters relating to ethical conduct and behaviour. The council regards the guide as an aid by which individual members of the profession may judge particular situations. The guide does not, therefore, have the force of a decision of the council.
I should point out that the section of the council's guide to which the Deputy refers does not make specific reference to HIV infection. It deals with the risks that may attach to treating cases of communicable diseases generally. The relevant section also advises that the patient must be referred to an appropriate colleague if a doctor does not wish to participate in the patient's management due to the risk factor.
Elsewhere, the guide advises that where doctors wish to withdraw their services, they must inform the patient and allow sufficient time for alternative medical care to be sought, during which time clinical continuity must be maintained.