Complaints
Dignity4Patients appreciates that the majority of healthcare practitioners are committed to patient safety and wellbeing. Patient safety is a collective responsibility and there must be a zero tolerance approach towards sexual abuse in healthcare settings. Inappropriate sexual misconduct must be called out, reported and stopped.
Below are the relevant bodies/authorities where a complaint may be issued by healthcare staff who have suspicions their colleagues maybe engaging in misconduct.
Irish Medical Council – Surgeon & Doctor Regulator
Anyone can make a complaint about a doctor who is registered in Ireland. This includes members of the public, employers and other healthcare professionals. The Medical Council can take action where complaints are of a serious nature and raise concerns over a doctor's fitness to practise.
https://www.medicalcouncil.ie/public-information/making-a-complaint-/
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The Medical Council acts in the public interest, and can impose restrictions on a doctor's registration, which would restrict or remove their right to practise medicine in Ireland.
https://www.medicalcouncil.ie/public-information/making-a-complaint-/grounds-for-complaints/grounds-for-complaints.html
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The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland - Nursing & Midwife Regulator
As part of its aim of protecting the public, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland is legally responsible for considering complaints against nurses and midwives who practise in Ireland.
They accept complaints from members of the public, employers and health care professionals as well as nurses and midwives who have concerns about their colleagues.
https://www.nmbi.ie/Complaints/Making-a-Complaint
Their Fitness to Practise department aims to deal with all complaints fully, fairly and in accordance with the legislation which gives them regulatory powers.
https://www.nmbi.ie/Complaints/Inquiries
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The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland - Pharmacist Regulator
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) handles complaints made against pharmacists and pharmacies. Anyone is entitled to make a complaint to the PSI, including patients, employers and other health professionals. The link below on their website explains the PSI’s complaint and disciplinary process. It confirms what complaints they consider, how you can make a complaint and what happens after a complaint is received.
https://www.thepsi.ie/gns/making-a-complaint/how-to-make-a-complaint.aspx
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CORU - Healthcare, Social Care & Psychologists Regulator
CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health regulator. Our role is to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professionals. CORU was set up under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. Complaints can be made directly to CORU via their website who will then an investigation into a professional Fitness to Practise.
https://www.coru.ie/public-protection/fitness-to-practise/how-to-make-a-complaint-service-user-member-of-the-public-/
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Dental Council of Ireland - Dentist Regulator
The Dental Council, was established under the provisions of the Dentists Act 1985. Its general concern is to promote high standards of professional education and professional conduct among dentists. While the Dental Council does not have a facility to make complaints to them directly. Complaints can be lodged with the Ombudsman, who will then enforce that the Dental Council of Ireland inquire into the fitness of a registered dentist to practise on the grounds of his alleged professional misconduct and to take appropriate action. The Council has power, subject in some instances to confirmation by the High Court to advise, admonish, censure, suspend, attach conditions to registration or erase a dentist's name from the Register.
http://www.dentalcouncil.ie/fitness-to-practice.php
Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)
HIQA is an independent authority established to drive safe care for people using health and social care services in Ireland. HIQA’s role is to develop standards, inspect and review services. Where HIQA have the legal power to do so, HIQA can investigate your concern. Where they don’t have this power, HIQA will direct you to the best place to get help, advice, information and support on reporting your protected disclosure.
https://www.hiqa.ie/get-touch/report-concern-or-give-feedback