Concern that new EU directive puts patients at risks

The five main health regulators today called on the Tánaiste to halt a draft EU directive that they say puts patients in the Republic at risk.

At a press conference today, the Irish Medical Council, the Irish Nursing Board, the Dental Council, the Opticians' Board and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland called on the Tánaiste to force an amendment to the draft directive, which refers to the "Recognition of Professional Qualifications".

President of the Irish Medical Council Prof Gerard Bury warned: "If these proposals go ahead, it will allow doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and other health professionals to practise in Ireland without registering.

"That means that a health professional struck off the register in another member state could arrive here and work for up to 16 weeks without ever coming to the attention of the Irish regulators," he said.

"It means that if someone is mistreated by a unregistered health professional, they'd have no recourse to the Irish authorities.

"We would have no record of their presence and no ability to track them down. Similarly we would never find out if a medical professional found incompetent in another European country was working here. We would have no way to protect our patients and clients," Prof Bury said.

Ms Harney is to attend a Council of Ministers meeting on Thursday to advance the proposals that could become law in EU states within two months.

The regulatory bodies were told last week the European Union was to go ahead with plans for the proposals despite opposition across Europe.

The Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) added its voice to the concern saying it believes the proposal puts patients' lives at risk.

The INO says participants in the scheme would not be subject to Fitness to Practice requirements and that patients would not have access to compensation as participants may not be professionally indemnified.

A statement issued today by the INO stated its support for the Nursing Board and other professionals who are calling on the Government to seek amendments to the proposed new directives.

It also stated its concern about the lack of alternative structures to deal with issues in relation to education and required standards which, it says, should underpin mutual recognition.