Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the recent declaration of the Irish Medicines Board which stated that independent clinics not owned by the State who provide cosmetic and surgical services are beyond the regulation of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29395/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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It is not quite the case, as the Deputy has stated, that private cosmetic surgery clinics are beyond the regulation of the State. Healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists etc employed by such clinics are required to be registered with their relevant professional regulatory body. Much of the legislation governing healthcare professionals has been extensively updated and amended in recent years with the publication of a number of relevant Acts including The Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, The Medical Practitioners Act 2007, The Pharmacy Act 2007 and The Nurses and Midwives Act 2011. In addition, my Department is in the process of preparing legislation to make it mandatory for all medical practitioners engaged in clinical practice to have adequate clinical indemnity insurance.

The Madden Commission on Patient Safety identified cosmetic surgery as one of the priority areas that should be addressed by a new system of licensing. Officials of my Department are currently working on the Licensing of Health Facilities Bill which will provide for a mandatory system of licensing for public and private health service providers. The legislative proposals are being prepared broadly in line with recommendations made by the Madden Commission and are designed to improve patient safety by ensuring that healthcare providers do not operate below core standards which are applied in a consistent and systematic way. The intention is to have a proportionate system which has the confidence of the public. Standards and other requirements will be enforceable through inspection and imposition of sanctions as necessary. Licensing will be targeted at areas which are not currently subject to regulation. It is expected that outline proposals for the new system of licensing should be finalised by year end. In the meantime I am making arrangements to put better information in place for people who are planning to undergo cosmetic surgery in Ireland.