The recent "explosion" in the incidence of meningococcal meningitis has highlighted an urgent need for an out-of-hours service for the control of infectious diseases, the IMO meeting heard.
Dr Fenton Howell, a public health specialist with the North Eastern Health Board, tabled a motion, which was passed, that a properly resourced service was needed, particularly with reference to the management and control of meningitis.
Dr Howell said the Department of Health's working group report on the disease stated that those who have come into contact with someone who has meningitis should be dealt with as soon as possible. "An immediate response is required. If we are to manage this disease properly it must be properly resourced."
However, no such system has been put in place by health boards. Often the hospital where the person with meningitis has been admitted ends up trying to contact public health doctors in the region at night.
Dr Joe Barry, an Eastern Health Board public health specialist, said meningitis continued to be relatively the largest public health problem in the State.
"To give a quality 24-hour service requires a properly staffed service," he said.
"The response is on an ad hoc basis," said Dr Howell, who was elected vice-president of the IMO. "Some have not been able to respond in a manner that they would wish."
He said he knew of one doctor who had to leave young children unattended when contacted about a meningitis case in the area, and another who drove to the hospital despite being over the legal limit for alcohol because the situation demanded it.
Meanwhile, the IMO claimed that delays by the Department of Health in introducing agreed protective measures for doctors exposed to blood-borne disease such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, will inevitably lead to infected doctors suing the State for compensation.
"Agreed protective measures need to be put in place between the Department and the IMO to avoid the threat of legal action," said the Mr Conal Devine of the IMO. Doctors infected with blood-borne diseases while working must have adequate financial protection put in place by the Department, he said.