Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 6

Written Answers. - Medical Records.

Declan Bree

Ceist:

75 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that confidential information in respect of public patients admitted to University Hospital Galway is passed on by the hospital authorities to a group of private medical consultants (details supplied); if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this confidential information is passed on by the hospital authorities without the permission of patients; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the private group of consultants then issue bills to the patients for services which have been provided by the health board; if he will have investigations made into the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23950/96]

Declan Bree

Ceist:

76 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene with the Western Health Board in order to ensure that an official (details supplied) of the board will respond to correspondence of 30 August 1996, from Deputy Bree, in respect of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo. [23951/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 76 together.

Inquiries have been made on this matter from the Western Health Board and they have informed me that the group to which the Deputy is referring is a groups of consultants who are permanently appointed and assigned to University College Hospital, Galway. These consultants have access to all patient records in respect of patients for whom they provide a service at University College Hospital, Galway. I understand that one account issued in error to a public patient and this was cancelled immediately.

Following a telephone call and subsequent letter from the Deputy concerning the case, the health board regarded the matter as having been finalised. The health board will write to the Deputy confirming that the matter has been dealt with.

The board has assured me that the requirement for confidentiality of patient information is strictly enforced and adhered to and under no circumstance is confidential information made known to any person not entitled or authorised to receive it.