Speeches
Private Member’s Motion – Patient Safety Authority – Extracts from Fiona O’Malley’s speech in the Dáil on 15th November 2006.
I concur with the sentiments expressed by Deputy Devins and I welcome the debate that Fine Gael has set out. The last time I spoke on this issue was just after the "Prime Time" report. I echoed the sentiments expressed at that time by many Deputies that "Prime Time" had performed a great public service by highlighting the patient safety issue. It rightly focused us, for a change, on the treatment that elderly people within our society are receiving. I joined with colleagues at that time in looking for legislation to be enacted to deal with the issues raised.
In that regard members of the Government have faced a "damned if we do, damned if we do not" scenario; we are criticised when legislation is introduced too slowly or too quickly. The Minister has simultaneously been accused of acting too quickly in terms of reform, and for acting too slowly on the relevant legislation. It seems she can never get it right. Some of the contributions so far would lead one to believe no action on the necessary legislation has taken place.
The parties were given the opportunity to help draft legislation.
Not one submission was received from the Opposition. Does the public realise this was the case? I doubt it. Opposition parties did not make one suggestion on what should be included in the Bill, nor indeed were any views on the proposals offered.
This was a poor performance and a test of the Opposition's sincerity on the issue. They have been found wanting.
On the substantive point, what the Opposition did muster was a call for a new so-called patient safety authority. This is strange given the Health Information and Quality Authority is already in place, albeit on an interim basis.
The call for a patient safety authority seems quite restrictive, timid and unambitious given that the Minister's Bill provides for inspection of all nursing homes, both public and private, as well as residential centres for children and people with disabilities. The Opposition has sets its sights quite low, and the Government is correct to provide for a wider remit. All of these residential locations must be subject to rigorous and effective inspection. The Government's Bill is much more ambitious than anything Fine Gael has proposed in this motion.