Concern that struck-off UK doctors are registered here

MINISTER FOR Health Mary Harney has acknowledged a problem with locums from abroad who may have been barred from practising in their own country.

Fine Gael health spokesman Dr James Reilly has written to the Minister and the Medical Council expressing concern that up to six doctors, who were struck off the medical register in the UK, may still be registered to practise here.

According to the Irish Medical News, three doctors it named are still registered while a further three registered here share the names of doctors who have been struck off in the UK.

Three of the doctors involved were charged with inappropriate sexual behaviour, one refused to undergo professional assessment, one was charged with neglect in a nursing home and the other was reprimanded for inappropriate prescribing at a slimming clinic.

Ms Harney said yesterday the problem of “itinerant locums” was common to many EU countries. She said the new Medical Council Act had given “hugely enhanced” powers to the council in relation to the registration of doctors in Ireland and the track record of doctors in other jurisdictions.

“Can they [the Department of Health and Medical Council] confirm or otherwise that these people are in this country or not?” Dr Reilly asked.

No one from the council was available to comment yesterday.