A health ombudsman should be appointed to oversee the implementation of a new statutory charter of patients' rights, according to Fine Gael.
The party's health spokesman, Mr Gay Mitchell, said that given the number of tribunals and inquiries and commissions and "the amount of money the Minister can spend on up to 60 different reviews", the money on an ombudsman would be well spent. He also believed it would reduce the need for litigation and reduce the fear of accusation of medical negligence and the difficulty that would create for doctors.
He was speaking during the latest debate in the Dail on the health services, which continues tonight. The Opposition hit out repeatedly at the state of the health services, the lack of infrastructure and effectiveness, but the Minister, Mr Martin, said it was clear the Opposition "will continue to change tack depending on where they think the political opportunity is".