Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Oct 1992

Vol. 424 No. 5

Written Answers. - Hospital In-Patient Scheme.

Bernard Allen

Question:

135 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that he is considering radical proposals that hospitals must be required to supply data to the hospital in-patient inquiry scheme as one of the conditions for receiving their annual allocations.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

This is one of many recommendations contained in the report of the Clinical Advisory Group which examined the operation of the HIPE scheme and the broader question of hospital activity data. The group have now presented their report to me.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Commission on Health Funding identified the need for reliable activity data for management and planning at all levels in the health services as an urgent priority. The report of the Clinical Advisory Group makes wide ranging recommendations on how that data can be supplied based on the HIPE scheme.

The report is being circulated to all hospitals as a first step in its implementation.