Vol. 397 No. 9
299 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he proposes to accept the points raised in the 36 recommendation policy documents submitted to his Department by the Irish Medical Organisation proposing wide-ranging improvements in the administration of the country's hospital out-patient departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I announced an Action Plan for the Health Services on 6 February 1990. Part of the Action Plan is an initiative on the quality of patient care involving the establishment of:
—an effective appointment system at out-patient clinics,
—a hospital code of conduct,
—a patient feedback mechanism.
I have asked the chief executive officers of each health board and the secretary manager of each voluntary hospital to submit their proposals on these issues before the end of April 1990. I have read with interest the Irish Medical Organisation document on Out-Patient Departments and their views will be taken into account by my Department when examining the responses from the health agencies to the quality of patient care initiative.
