Vol. 515 No. 2
28 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the consideration, if any, given by him to provide a legal guarantee to patients in public hospitals that they will receive the treatment they are legally entitled to and to enact legislation to require public hospitals and health boards to provide sufficient staff to carry out all lawful procedures within hospitals. [4878/00]
141 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the consideration, if any, given by him to provide a legal guarantee to patients in public hospitals that they will receive the treatment they are legally entitled to and to enact legislation to require public hospitals and health boards to provide sufficient staff to carry out all lawful procedures within hospitals. [5608/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 141 together.
I am not aware that the right of conscientious objection of individual staff members represents an obstacle to the treatment of patients in our health care system. Indeed I would draw the Deputy's attention to the Medical Council's Guide to Ethical Conduct and Behaviour which states that if a practitioner has an objection to a course of action, this should be explained and the names of other doctors made available to the patient.
Notwithstanding this, my Department is considering the need, if any, for measures in addition to those already in place, in regard to the issues raised by the Deputies.
