Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 24 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 2

Written Answers. - Cancer Treatment Services.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

41 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to reports of a recent case where a nurse at a Dublin hospital refused on conscientious grounds to administer chemotherapy to a pregnant woman with cancer; the steps, if any, he his taking to ensure that treatment is not withheld or delayed from any patient in these circumstances; if he was advised by departmental officials that a change in legislation was required to deal with these cases; the plans, if any, he has to introduce this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5487/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I presume that the Deputy's question relates to the recent inaccurate reporting of a case at a particular hospital, where it was suggested that a patient was refused chemotherapy treatment. I have had inquiries made in this case and I have been assured by the hospital concerned that there was no such refusal to treat the patient. Furthermore, I am advised that the patient in question received the appropriate care as prescribed by their consultant on time and was subsequently discharged.

The right of conscientious objection of individual staff members is well recognised in our health services. At a general level I am not aware that this represents an obstacle to the treatment of patients. Indeed I would draw the Deputy's attention to the Medical Council's guidelines in this area which state that "if a practitioner has a conscientious 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, including a proposal from within my Department for legislative change.