Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 3

Written Answers. - Health Boards Steering Committee.

Ivor Callely

Question:

239 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health when the value for money steering group of the eight health boards will meet; their terms of reference; the recommendations or savings, if any, which have been made by the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The Value for Money Steering Committee was established by the chief executive officers of the health boards in November 1990 with the following objectives:—

(a) To exchange information on product prices between boards and on proven cost savings by individual health boards which could be utilised by other health boards or agencies.

(b) To identify and evaluate proposals for common or joint action between boards to maximise value for money opportunities either by reduction in expenditure or increases in income.

To achieve these objectives a number of subgroups were formed to examine key areas such as medical and surgical supplies, provisions, drugs and medicines, service contracts and energy management.

The recommendations of the sub groups have resulted in the following national contracts:—

—X-Ray Film

—Disposable Incontinence Products

—Vaccines

—Provisions

The Value for Money Steering Committee has also been responsible for a number of initiatives including:—

—Development of a computerised national price information data for the health boards which is constantly updated.

—Register of computer-based management control and information systems.

—Preparation of an internal market brochure.

—Examination and evaluation of existing maintenance manpower structures.

As part of the ongoing evaluation of value for money initiatives the chief executive officers have recently restructured the Value for Money Steering Committee into the following divisions:—

—Purchasing

—Human Resources

—Exchange of Good Practice

Each of these divisions is chaired by a chief executive officer and comprises senior managers from each of the health boards. These divisions meet on a regular basis to consider and implement submissions prepared by the members.

The health boards are committed to maintaining the existing value for money initiatives and to continue to secure the optimum return from individual and national programmes.