The Medical Council supports some of the recommendations of the Health Select Committee after its "Inquiry into the adverse effects on women as a result of treatment by Dr Graham Parry".

Previously the Council had identified gaps in the system, particularly;

the need for some to answer clinical questions that were troubling patients and their families,

the requirement for ACC and District Health Boards to communicate with the Council about complaints,

liaison between the various organisations that are involved in standards of care,

legal advice for the Complaints Assessment Committees on all occasions, and

credentialling within hospital units.

In addition, the Council requires all doctors to participate in a programme to maintain professional standards including a personal audit of work as mentioned by the Health Select Committee.

Dr Tony Baird said "that the Council would like to see a health service focused on patient safety and quality improvements with an environment which encourages open disclosure of complications. The sector needs to continue to improve systems rather than blaming and shaming of individuals".

Many of the recommendations of this report go someway towards this end. The Medical Council will be supporting many of these recommendations in its submission to the Health Select Committee on the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Bill.

© Scoop Media