Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have to speak in the Seanad Chamber at 4.30 p.m.

I thank Professor Daly for his presentation. I asked the committee to invite him because I had heard a number of complaints about people having scans on a Friday evening in services in which there was no medical backup to give advice. Advice has been given on a Friday evening without a medical person being present. That has occurred. There are quite a number of such companies. It is not a major problem in Dublin, but it seems to be happening outside the main population centres. Has Professor Daly received complaints about it? Is there a concern in the profession about these services being offered? That is one issue.

The second issue concerns people, GPs or otherwise, who do not receive training. If GPs have not received training and are providing a service, will there be complications about professional indemnity insurance? I am wondering if they have been made aware of this. I have heard of a GP giving advice, but when the person concerned presented at the hospital traumatised, it turned out that the advice which had been was incorrect. That leaves the GP quite open to the giving of incorrect advice and a question arises immediately about whether he or she is covered by insurance, especially if he or she has not received training. I am wondering if the issue has been highlighted.

The third issue is anomaly scans. What would it take to reach a stage where the service would be available to everyone? About what numbers are we talking to be trained and what backup services would need to be provided? The equipment is not that expensive; tt is, therefore, about personnel. About what shortfall are we talking in real terms?