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1 May 2002

The Minister for Health and Children today (1 May) welcomed the report in relation to the independent examination of the interaction of the South Eastern Health Board and the Medical Council with regard to the employment and registration, on the Register of Medical Practitioners of Dr John Harding Price during the period April 2000 to November 2000. The preparation of this report had been requested by the Minister to consider how procedures and/or regulations might need to be improved in order to avoid such cases arising in the future.

The Minister said that it is his firm intention that such a situation will not reoccur and that he has written to all health service employers and to the Medical Council in this regard.

The Minister believes that it is essential that he be informed when a medical practitioner has been suspended from the Register of Medical Practitioners pending an enquiry of the Fitness to Practise Committee. A review of the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978 is currently at an advanced stage and the Minister has already sought legal advice as to whether an amendment of the relevant sections of the Act would be required to facilitate better dissemination of information by the Council.

The Minister stated that he has carefully noted the report´s recommendations and has already taken steps to ensure that these recommendations are implemented as a matter of urgency. The Minister has already asked the Inter Agency Health Care Forum to consider how it might facilitate better liaison and communication between the Medical Council and health service employers, and to prepare guidelines in this regard. This group was established in October 2001 as a means for the relevant health agencies to address matters of mutual interest in relation medical education, training regulation, and service delivery so that policy can be informed be a comprehensive understanding of the issues involved and in the interests of patient safety.

The Minister thanked Ms Maureen Lynott for agreeing to undertake this examination and for the diligent and timely manner in which she completed her task.

New Investigation

Since receiving this report the Minister has been advised of a new complaint in relation to Doctor Harding Price. The matter is currently under investigation by the South Eastern Health Board and a report will be prepared.