Medical council questions method for suicide risk assessment
Mary Regan, Political Correspondent
The proposed criteria for assessing the risk of suicide to a woman seeking an abortion has been questioned by the Irish Medical Council.
It has expressed concern about the ability of women in all parts of the country to access treatment needed under the criteria outlined in the heads of the Protection of Human Life during pregnancy Bill.
The Oireachtas Health Committee has this morning begun hearings on the planned laws to allow abortion in limited circumstances, where the life of the mother is at risk, including through suicide.
The proposed outline of the Bill states that the threat to life through self-destruction must be certified jointly by an obstetrician and two psychiatrists - including one attached to the hospital where the termination takes place.
The Medical Council, to which 18,000 doctors are registered, said: "It is not clear why one of the certifying psychiatrists must be attached to a location where such a procedure is carried out. The majority of psychiatrists are not attached to such institutions."
Also appearing before the committee, the Irish Medical Organisation said an obstetrician should not be required to certify the risk of loss of life through suicide, and that this should be done by two psychiatrists, in consultation with the woman's GP.
"Imposing a requirement for three doctors may cause unnecessary delay and is in excess of the maximum of two doctors recommended by the expert group," it said.
