FG urges patient safety body to be set up

FINE GAEL health spokesman Dr James Reilly has said he is disappointed by the failure of the Commission on Patient Safety to put forward proposals for a patient safety authority.

Commission chairwoman Deirdre Madden yesterday said that such an agency would require substantial structural, legislative and organisational reform and existing structures and agencies could be used to ensure patient safety.

Many Fine Gael proposals for patient safety were contained in the commission's report, Mr Reilly said. "It is regrettable that the formation of a single body with the sole remit of patient safety, as we proposed, is not."

Minister for Health Mary Harney had failed to implement a number of reports in relation to patients safety and was now in a position where she must bring forward legislation on foot of the commission's report, he said.

"There's a major trust issue here. I urge the Minister to return with the intent to put her many words on patient safety into action, and not remain an idle bystander as she often appears to be."

Labour Seanad health spokesman Phil Prendergast said it was essential that the recommendations were implemented as soon as possible. "Some of the recommendations may involve additional expenditure, but they must not become a victim of Government cutbacks."

Mandatory licencing of health professionals and facilities was a particularly important aspect of the commission's report.

"I particularly welcome the recommendation for mandatory licensing of all public and private healthcare providers. It seems bizarre that a licence is required to open a pub but not a hospital."

Ms Harney said yesterday that she would consider all the reports recommendations with a view to bringing it to Government next month.