Do older medics pose a greater risk to patients?

I write in response to your article entitled “20 women’s claims linked to one doctor” (Dec 5).

In my capacity as a member of the HSE Health Forum West I asked, “Are older Irish doctors “six times more likely to pose a risk to patients”? I asked this question of the Health Forum West based on the report listed below.

The reply from the Irish Medical Council:

“The Medical Council in Ireland (the body that regulates doctors in Ireland) have advised that this type of information is not available at present.” But seeL www.nhs.uk/news/2013/10October/Pages/poorly-performing-doctors-identified.aspx

This report was conducted in the UK on the findings of National Clinic Assessment Service (www.ncas.nhs.uk/ identified) that doctors over the age of 55 are six times more likely to prompt major concerns about their performance than younger colleagues.

The study, led by the former chief medical officer, Prof Sir Liam Donaldson, found that older doctors, male doctors, and those working in obstetrics, gynaecology and psychiatry are the groups most likely to be referred to the National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS).

The Medical Council, admitting that they do not have the information necessary to determine the risk different groups of doctors pose to patients, begs a further question.

Should an oversight role on medical doctor performance be prescribed to HIQA?

Cllr Brian Meaney

Darragh

Ennis

Co Clare