Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to regulate the area of cosmetic and plastic surgery and the qualifications of surgeons carrying out procedures in this area. [24721/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Medical Council is charged with responsibility for the registration of medical practitioners and the regulation of their activities. The Medical Practitioners Act 2007 provides for a clear compulsory requirement for registration for all medical practitioners, including cosmetic surgeons.

In January 2007, as part of the government's commitment to ensuring patient safety and quality in our health service, I established a Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance to develop clear and practical recommendations to ensure that quality and safety of care for patients is paramount within the healthcare system. The Commission's Report - 'Building a Culture of Patient Safety' was published in August 2008. The Commission recommended that there should be a mandatory licensing system in Ireland to cover both public and private healthcare providers. It further recommended that the licensing system should commence with application to the acute hospitals and other facilities based on analysis of potential risk to patient safety and that this list should include facilities where the following treatments are provided:

• medical treatment under anaesthesia or sedation

• dental treatment under general anaesthesia

• obstetric services

• cosmetic surgery

• other techniques/technologies such as laser and intense pulse light therapy, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, private dialysis, In Vitro Fertilisation and endoscopies and any other to be prescribed by the Minister for Health and Children.

The Government recently accepted the Commission's report and approved the commencement of work on the drawing up of detailed proposals for legislation to give effect to its central recommendation on the licensing of both public and private healthcare providers. This legislation will be complex and it is anticipated that the Bill will be published in 2011. The Government also supported the establishment of a Steering Group, chaired by the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health and Children, to drive the implementation of all the report's recommendations. This Steering Group has now been established. Its first meeting took place on 4 June and it has begun its work on an overall implementation plan to be completed within 18 months of establishment.

Persons who avail of the services of doctors performing plastic surgery should endeavour to seek the services of reputable providers. When invasive procedures are being arranged, persons would be advised to check that the services are provided by a medical practitioner who is appropriately registered with the Medical Council. In addition, before agreeing to undergo any procedure, persons should ascertain the level of follow-up medical support which will be available to them after the surgery has been completed.

The Medical Council produces a Guide to Ethical Conduct and Behaviour which includes guidance for doctors on the required standard for practice premises and standards in relation to centres of health care. The Council is in a position to consider alleged breaches of the guide in respect of doctors who are registered with it. Where a concern arises about the professional activity of a registered medical practitioner, the Medical Council has the power to investigate the circumstances of the complaint, and, if a prima facia case exists, to conduct an inquiry. Where a finding of professional misconduct or unfitness to practise is made against a doctor, the Council has the authority to suspend, limit or revoke the registration of that individual.