Vol. 569 No. 3
144 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received the report of the task force of medical staffing; if the report has been brought to Government; if it is intended to publish the report; if the report recommends a substantial increase in the number of hospital consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17530/03]
The report of the national task force on medical staffing is at an advanced stage of preparation, but has not yet been finalised. When I receive it I will study its contents and bring proposals to Government in the normal way. In the meantime, I am not in a position to speculate as to its likely recommendations.
145 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to address the information technology deficit in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11608/03].
The need for improvements in health information systems is clearly identified in the two major restructuring reports – Prospectus report and Brennan Commission report – which were published last week. Following on from these reports, I intend to publish the national health information strategy shortly and this will clearly identify my plans for the development of information systems. In addition, considerable work has already been completed on the development of a technology focused information and communications technology strategy. This will set out the technology approach to implementation of the national health information strategy.
