The Minister of Health will introduce amendments to a Bill next week that will make mandatory open disclosure a part of the healthcare system.
After the initial proposals were rejected as “flawed,” Stephen Donnelly and his department officials consulted with members of the 221+ cervical cancer campaign group as well as other patient representatives and interested parties.
The Government agreed to postpone the legislation that would have required the mandatory open disclosure of serious patient safety incidents until after Christmas in order to allow for further discussion.
In order to give patients more transparency, Mr. Donnelly agreed to change the law. This is seen as a crucial component of the legacy of reform and transformation that campaigners, like Vicky Phelan, fought for in the wake of the CervicalCheck scandal, reports Irish Examiner.
Patients must be informed of their right to patient-requested reviews under the main amendment Mr. Donnelly will present on Wednesday.
In an effort to create a review procedure that will benefit the patient, Department of Health representatives have been in touch with patient representatives recently.
The proposed amendment states that a patient may request a review of the results of a screening that has been carried out by a cancer screening service in relation to the patient. It also stipulates that the health services provider which received the request shall carry out the review.
It adds that the patient must be informed in writing “either before or at the time the cancer screening service carries out the cancer screening on that patient, of his or her right to make a request for a review.”
The proposed amendments also state that a healthcare service must make the open disclosure “at a time when it considers to be appropriate”, however, it adds that it is desirable to inform patients “as soon as practicable”.
In the wake of Vicky Phelan’s death, the Taoiseach had promised that the new laws would pass before Christmas, but the Minister cautioned that even with “best will in the world” making more changes would push the Bill out to the new year.