asked the Minister for Health if, before awarding the computer contract to the McAuto Company, he had inquiries made as to what other EEC countries were using the McAuto system in the operation of their hospital and health services; and, if so, the result of these inquiries.
Written Answers. - Computer Contract.
605.
McAuto hospital systems were not in use in other EEC countries when they were selected here in May 1982.
The decision taken by my Department arose following receipt of a comprehensive report and recommendations from the special study groups in the health sector under the Review Body on Computerisation. That body was set up by the Government and handled by Department of the Public Service, advised by management consultants.
606.
asked the Minister for Health the basis on which his Department awarded the contract for the computerisation of Irish hospitals to an American company.
Following a comprehensive report from the special study group in the health sector under the Review Body on Computerisation (that body was set up by the Government and handled by the Department of the Public Service advised by management consultants) integrated hospital systems were required to run on digital equipment. Such products were only available through American companies. The McAuto hospital software was chosen as the most suitable and cost-effective integrated software for Irish hospitals.
607.
asked the Minister for Health if all Irish computer companies were invited to submit tenders for the computerisation of Irish hospitals; and, if not, the reason for this omission.
Requests went out to some 35 suppliers who were active in this country in the supply of computer hardware and software. These included all the major and appropriate firms here.
608.
asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report in The Irish Times of May 20 1983, stating that Memory Computers had not been invited to tender for the computerisation of Irish hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The report is inaccurate. Messrs. Memory Computers were invited in March 1981, when the selection process commenced.
The joint managing director of this company has been advised by my Department that his company was invited on 13 March 1981 by the special study groups in the health sector to submit information but had not replied.
609.
asked the Minister for Health the consultations that took place between his Department and the doctors and hospital staffs who would be using the system prior to the award of the computerisation contract for Irish hospitals to an American company.
User requirements were fully reflected as far as possible or necessary in the development of policy and in the selection of the hospital systems. Two separate firms of management consultants were involved with systems developments in certain major hospitals and provided detailed, specialist advice on hospitals' needs as developed with and specified for the various functional and care areas. The consultants involved, through their experience gained in Irish hospitals and the expertise available to them through their international associate companies, represented the best available expertise for the purpose of policy and decision making.
610.
asked the Minister for Health the reason his Department decided to award the contract for the computerisation of Irish hospitals to the US company McAuto, since this decision was contrary to the recommendations of the Mater hospital study group which visited four hospitals in the United States using the McAuto system.
Following receipt of a comprehensive report and recommendations from the special study group in the health sector under the Review Body on Computerisation, (that body was set up by the Government and handled by the Department of the Public Service, advised by management consultants), the decision of my Department in favour of McAuto was taken in May 1982. The group from the Mater Hospital visited hospitals in the United States in December 1982. The board of management of the Mater Hospital, after complete appraisal of its needs and the McAuto facilities, are fully satisfied that the McAuto systems meet the needs of their major hospital and wish to have them installed as soon as possible.