Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on a recent review of medical schools carried out by the Medical Council which states that interns are taking consent for procedures they do not fully understand and are being instructed to act above their grade; and her views on this recent finding. [20929/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The findings in the Review of Medical Schools in Ireland 2007 — A Report to the Public By The Medical Council referred to by the Deputy are part of a broad report covering a number of issues relating to undergraduate medical education.

The overall conclusion in the Report is that the medical schools are producing graduates with the knowledge, skills and behaviour to successfully undertake an internship and to gain full registration.

The Medical Council's A Guide to Ethical Conduct and Behaviour , 6th Edition 2004, Section 4.6, provides that junior doctors should never be asked to perform tasks for which they are not fully competent except under the direct supervision of senior colleagues who can take over should difficulty be encountered.

Section 17.1 of the Guide provides that informed consent can only be obtained by a doctor who has sufficient training and experience to be able to explain the intervention, the risks and benefits and the alternatives.

This provision has been further expanded on and supported in a recent Medical Council document "Good medical practice in seeking informed consent to treatment" which was adopted by the Council at its last meeting held on Wednesday 21st May, 2008. This document will be disseminated to all relevant parties i.e. Post Graduate Training Bodies, Employers and registered medical practitioners. The document is also to be included in induction packs for all new doctors employed throughout the Health Service Executive.