New rules aimed to target rogue medics

Rogue medics who open private clinics could be targeted under guidelines to license the industry, it emerged tonight.

A study on standards of care and patient safety has advised health chiefs to licence both public and private health services.

The report of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance also outlined a number of proposals for greater accountability in the health service in relation to patient safety.

Key recommendations to update national standards for patients included mandatory licensing for all public and private healthcare providers and the establishment of a single database recording potential healthcare employees' qualifications.

Health minister Mary Harney said that when implemented, the far-reaching recommendations will impact very positively on patients and their families.

"Perhaps the most significant recommendation of the report is the introduction of a licensing system for all health services whether they are delivered publicly or privately," she said.

"The current system, whereby anybody can open a hospital for example, does not adequately offer patients the protection they need and deserve."

While accepting that the health system will always be open to the possibility of human error, the minister added: "All of us working in the delivery of health care must make every effort to minimise error and maximise quality.

"A blame-free reporting and management culture is undoubtedly in the best interests of patients."

Building a Culture of Patient Safety called on the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and Health Service Executive (HSE) to implement national standards for open disclosure of adverse events to patients.

Chaired by Dr Deirdre Madden, a barrister and expert on medical law and ethics, the commission also set out the need for the creation of a national network of patient advocates who will work in partnership with healthcare organisations.

Ms Harney said she welcomed the commission's finding that the absence of accountability arrangements such as quality assurance, clinical audit, measurement and monitoring which involve professionals, especially doctors, limits the extent to which patients can be protected.

"Recent patient safety incidents can be attributed in large part to this," she continued.

"I want to see a system-wide, nationwide, patient-proofed health service that can be monitored and measured. This will ensure that we move from pockets of best practice to a situation where patients throughout the country can benefit from the same high standard of quality and safety.

"One of the most common complaints I hear from patients and their families is the difficulty they encounter in getting information. This report advocates open communication and I very much support the enhanced and meaningful involvement of patients and their families."

The report, which will be brought to Government next month, is also being considered by the HIQA.

The authority's chief executive Dr Tracey Cooper said it could be instrumental in driving the changes that will be required to move towards a fully patient-centred, accountable and reliable health system.

"The report outlines changes that are essential to further improve the quality and safety of care that patients should receive throughout Ireland," she said.