Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is something we need to do but we have got to do it right. It is being looked at. Dr. Scally quite rightly pointed it out. We have discussed it before. However, we have to do it right. Extensive work is going on around new complaints policies including legislative change. There needs to be funding allocation, training and clinical governance pathways put in place. There is an entire process that has to be put in place for the patient to make sure that those complaints are dealt with in the right way and in a way that is appropriate for the patient. Yes, it is important but it is also important we do it right. A commitment I would like to give to colleagues is a session with myself and with Department of Health officials to discuss the work that has already happened and where we are at in terms of bringing forward new legislation. Critically, we are not looking at just this clause within the 2004 Act. There may be much wider changes to the Act and additional legislation may be brought in to provide for clinical complaints. I imagine we are all agreed on the requirement for patients to be able to make complaints in respect of clinical issues. There is probably a very interesting story behind how that clause managed to find its way into the 2004 Act. I agree entirely with the intent, but I ask colleagues to take it in good faith that we have to do it right. I would certainly be very happy to facilitate a meeting with Department officials soon, either informally or formally, through the health committee, to get feedback on this specific issue so that it is done properly, with policy, funding, the requisite training, clinical governance and with whatever legislative changes are required, which will probably include this but which will probably go further that it.

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