Written Answers. - Fitness to Practise Procedures.
Mary Wallace
Ceist:
305
Ms M. Wallace
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
his plans to introduce fitness to practise in the areas of pharmacists, dentists, nurses and doctors; the progress which has been made with regard to these plans; the timeframe as to when such regulations might be brought forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25400/02]
The introduction of fitness to practise procedures for members of the pharmacy profession is under active consideration in my Department in the context of the development of an outline scheme of new legislation to amend and update the Pharmacy Acts. I expect to be in a position to publish a new Pharmacy Bill during 2003.
The Dentists Act, 1985 set up the Dental Council as the statutory authority for the promotion of high standards of professional education and conduct among dentists. Part V of the Act sets out the procedures with regard to issues of fitness to practise for dentists, which are currently in effect. The legislation currently providing for the regulation of the nursing profession is the Nurses Act, 1985. The 1985 Act provided for the regulation, control and education of nurses and other matters related to the practice of nursing. It also provided for the establishment of a re-constituted Bord Altranais. The regulation of the nursing profession was examined by the Commission on Nursing and certain recommendations were made, including recommendations in relation to fitness to practise procedures. These recommendations will require legislative change and will be incorporated into the new Nurses Bill, which is in course of preparation.
Under the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978 the Medical Council is the body statutorily charged with the registration of medical practitioners, including fitness to practise issues. In order to ensure patient care and safety it is necessary for the council to be absolutely certain of the suitability of a medical practitioner to be registered. In order to do this the Medical Council must satisfy itself as to the qualifications and good standing of any applicant for registration, and insists on the provision of appropriate evidence that these requirements are met in the interests of patient safety.
Where information is received stating that disciplinary proceedings have resulted in erasure of a doctor from a register in another country, or some restriction on their ability to practise freely has been imposed, this information is referred to the fitness to practise committee for consideration under Part V of the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978. The statutory provisions include that the council may apply to the High Court for an order suspending a doctor's registration where the public interest is considered to be at immediate risk. Any doctor about whom a complaint is received by the Medical Council is subject to the disciplinary proceedings provided for in the legislation.
Preparation of heads of a Bill for a new medical practitioners Act is well advanced, and the current statutory provisions in relation to the fitness to practise of medical practitioners are being carefully examined in this context. The Lynott report published earlier this year, which recommends that appropriate checks be made by employers with regulatory bodies in countries in which a doctor was previously registered, will be taken into consideration as part of this process. All of these measures maximise the protection of the consumer through agreed fitness to practise procedures governing health professionals.
