Patient Focus, an organisation which aims to preserve and enhance patients’ rights, has welcomed a series of checks that are to be carried out on doctors.
The audit was announced by the Medical Council whose President, Dr John Hillery, said most Irish doctors were willing to participate in it.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland, Dr Hillery said that although most doctors will volunteer to take part in the review process, legislation needs to be introduced to ensure all doctors comply.
Initially, the Medical Council is planning to conduct random checks on around 1,000 doctors. As part of the investigation, lay and medical assessors will observe doctors in their work.
The system will start this summer on a voluntary basis pending the introduction of long-promised legislation to update the powers of the Medical Council.
The council is the statutory body charged with protecting the public's interest by ensuring doctors meet professional standards in their work.
The reviews will involve questionnaires being sent to some of the doctor's patients, colleagues and employer.
Reports of the assessments will be sent to a performance committee which will decide if a doctor is meeting the required standards.
