Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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224. To ask the Minister for Health if he will respond to the representations made regarding sickle cell disease before the Joint Committee on Health and Children on 10 April last. [25070/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I note from the transcript of their meeting on 10 April 2014 that the Joint Committee on Health and Children recommends training for GPs and medical students on sickle cell disease as well as the provision of necessary screening by hospital maternity units.

With regard to medical education and training, the content and composition of curricula and specialist training programmes is a matter for the Medical Council and the recognised medical education or postgraduate training bodies. Under the Medical Practitioners Act, all medical degree courses and specialist training programmes in Ireland are required to be accredited by the Council. As of May 2011, doctors are legally obliged to maintain their professional competence by enrolling in approved professional competence schemes and following requirements set by the Medical Council. In this context, the Council has established a range of professional competence schemes through formal arrangements with the recognised postgraduate training bodies. Schemes are operated by the postgraduate training bodies and have been developed to drive good professional practice, which is centred on patient safety and quality of patient care.

While there is no national screening of pregnant women for sickle cell disease, testing for the disease is carried out on a targeted basis in maternity hospitals.