Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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493. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to regulate independent private clinics and main street eye surgery clinics; his views that, it is acceptable that 19 legal cases have been taken against one such clinic over a six year period; the primary objective is to sell the procedure rather than assess the suitability of the patient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36424/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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At present, as Minister for Health, I do not have powers to regulate independent private clinics or eye surgery clinics. However, it should be noted that healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists etc. employed in such independent private clinics or private healthcare facilities in Ireland are required to be registered with their relevant professional regulatory body and adhere to a professional code of conduct. Cosmetic surgery and non-surgical cosmetic treatments are regularly sought by Irish patients. All surgery contains a certain element of risk and patients should seek to inform themselves of both the risks and benefits of any procedures before making a decision to proceed.

I am adopting a phased approach to the regulation of healthcare. My Department continues to progress the Patient Safety Licensing Bill and is engaging with the Health Service Executive, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the independent healthcare sector to inform the finalisation of the General Scheme of the Bill prior to its consideration by Government. In advance of a formal licensing regime for public and private hospitals it is proposed to bring the private/independent healthcare sector within the remit of the Health Act 2007. The Government has given approval in principle to allow my Department draft amendments to the Health Act 2007 as an interim step towards licensing by extending HIQA’s powers to set and monitor standards, and undertake investigations, where necessary, in the private healthcare sector. Work in currently ongoing in that regard.