Vol. 435 No. 9
102 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if his Department has an integrated policy to maximise the financial generation capacity of hospital laboratories; and if he envisages a role for these laboratories, and a greater role for Health Board personnel, in marketing preventative tests to commercial and industrial sectors in the country.
Health agencies are encouraged by my Department as part of value for money programmes to maximise their income generation capacities not only in laboratories but across a broad range of service areas e.g. shops, cafeterias, car parking etc. Income generation initiatives must not, however, take precedence over the primary business of health care agencies, that is the delivery of the highest quality level of patient care.
With regard to the marketing of tests to commercial and industrial sectors it is not clear that there are always opportunities for significantly increased income in this area. Nonetheless where the capacity exists, and at no detriment to patient care, managers are expected to avail of all opportunities for income generation.
