Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:100 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Justice if she has made a decision on the new role of the medical director of Mountjoy Prison; and if she will specify in detail the role of the director. [19492/96]
Written Answers. - Mountjoy Prison Medical Director.
The director of prison medical services has responsibility for medical matters in the entire prison service, not just Mountjoy Prison. He was appointed in 1990 for a period of two years. At the expiration of this period, the post was established. The original job description stated that the director will be responsible for achieving a high level of central direction and co-ordination of the medical services in the prisons and places of detention; play the lead role in researching and evaluating existing services provided by medical and para-medical staff and services provided by outside agencies; initiate proposals for improvements in these services and, where appropriate, recommend changes in structures and procedures affecting the medical service including recruitment and staffing arrangements; liaise with the various professional services in the prisons and local managements to ensure optimum response to the health needs of offenders; liaise with other health agencies and institutions; advise in relation to the recruitment, retention and training of medical and para-medical staff within the prison service; be responsible for therapy provided to offenders; advise on budgetary requirements and disbursements in areas related to his responsibilities; monitor relevant international developments and practices through maintaining appropriate international contacts; undertake appropriate clinical work within the service to maintain the necessary expertise — save in exceptional circumstances the director will not act as a substitute for other personnel within the service; undertake relevant academic research with a view to publication as appropriate in medical journals, etc, and promote aspects of the work of prison medical services through e.g. lectures.
In reply to Question No. 664 on 25 July last, I indicated that there had been a failure to clearly define the accountability of the prison doctors to the director at the outset. I also indicated that I had asked the director to review his role and to make a submission to me on the matter. I have now received that submission and I will be discussing the issues raised with the director in the coming weeks. These issues centre on his overall role and specifically the measures which are needed to achieve responsibility and accountability for service delivery and financial control.