THE Eastern Health Board was granted leave in the High Court yesterday to challenge an order of the Medical Council to produce medical records in relation to the ease being taken against Dr Moira Woods.
The EHB is challenging orders made on December 20th last by the Fitness to Practice Committee directing the production of medical records in relation to patients.
Mr Eoin McGonigal SC, for the EHB, said the patients were minors and the records related to matters which were the subject matter of in camera proceedings before the courts.
The EHB was challenging the orders of the Committee and seeking a declaration that the inquiry by the committee was precluded from inquiring into matters which were the subject, matter of in camera proceedings before the courts.
Alternatively, it was seeking a declaration that if the court held that the Medical Council was entitled to proceed with the inquiry, the inquiry should be conducted in private.
The EHB was also seeking an order prohibiting the Medical Council from directing the attendance before the inquiry of any persons who gave evidence at the original in camera proceedings.
Mr McGonigal said that relief was sought on the grounds that the Fitness to Practice Committee had exceeded its jurisdiction in directing the EHB to produce the medical records.
Miss Justice Laffoy, giving leave said that notice should be served on Dr Woods and also the parents of the minors as they were the complainants in the ease.