Written Answers. - Departmental Bodies.
Dick Spring
Question:
27
Mr. Spring
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he will provide details of all the expert groups, working parties and review groups in existence in his Department; and the date when they are due to report in each case.
[14248/98]
The following is the information requested by the Deputy. An expert group was established in September 1997 to make recommendations on the clinical and non-clinical management of that group of women who received Anti-D which was infected or potentially infected with hepatitis C, but who have tested negative for the virus.
The Minister of State, Deputy Frank Fahey established a "Working Group to Review the Child Abuse Guidelines" on 20 February 1998 with the following terms of reference:
"In view of the implementation of the Child Care Act, 1991, changes in the management of health boards and the commitment of the Government to introduce mandatory reporting of child abuse to review (i) the guidelines on procedures for the identification, investigation and management of child abuse and (ii) the notification of suspected cases of child abuse between health boards and gardaí and to prepare revised guidelines aimed at improving the identification, investigation and management of child abuse."
The group has been asked to complete its work by February 1999.
The National AIDS Strategy Committee — NASC — which is currently chaired by Deputy Moffatt, Minister of State, has met on an on-going basis since the publication of the National AIDS Strategy Committee report in 1992. This committee monitors progress made on implementation of the national strategy on AIDS and advises me on current issues. Three of the subcommittees of NASC — the Care and Management Sub-committee, the Surveillance Sub-Committee and the Education and Prevention Sub-committee monitor the current situation and make recommendations regarding action to be taken in each area. On the recommendation of the National AIDS Strategy Committee a committee was established to examine the issues involved in the introduction of routine antenatal testing for HIV and to advise the National AIDS Strategy Committee accordingly. Its first meeting was in April 1998 and a second meeting will take place on Wednesday, 17 June after which it will report to NASC. An inter-departmental working group on the National Environmental Health Action Plan — NEHAP — is due to report to me before the end of summer. A joint working group between my Department and the health boards on developing a smoke free policy is also active on an ongoing basis. No reporting date has been set.
The cardiovascular health strategy group will advise on initiatives which can be taken to improve cardiovascular health through health promotion and public education. It will also examine and evaluate the organisation of current services and ongoing research into the causes of the treatment methods for cardiovascular disease. The evaluation is to cover all aspects of cardiovascular health including prevention of disease, medical and surgical facilities and rehabilitation services. The group is due to report by end of summer 1998.
A group is currently looking into the establishment of a heart-lung transplant unit in Ireland. The group is not committed to publishing a report.
An expert advisory committee on cervical screening was established in March 1997 to oversee the piloting of the cervical screening programme. In addition it will advise on developments and best practice including quality assurance and new technologies in cervical screening, treatment etc. The committee has a membership of 15. It is envisaged that the committee will report to me at regular intervals.
The materials management implementation group was established as an interim body to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the report of materials management advisory group. It is not required to produce a report.
Joint Department of Health and Children/Health Board Working Group on Medical Card Eligibility.
A joint Department of Health and Childrenhealth board working group has been established to clarify the guidelines on eligibility for medical cards. A report from the working group will be considered by the health boards' chief executive officers at their meeting on 23 June, 1998.
Review of Medical Card Eligibility
The Government identified as a key priority in its programme An Action Programme for the Millennium, a review of medical card eligibility for the elderly and large families. The Department asked the chief executive officers of the health boards to consider the commitment and to give their views to the Department as to how the commitment might be implemented and the implications, financial and otherwise of their proposals. chief executive officers have undertaken to consider a report prepared for them at their next meeting on 23 June 1998 and to submit their views to the Department shortly thereafter.
Review of Waiting List Initiative
The group has the following terms of reference: to examine the underlying factors giving rise to waiting lists and waiting times and to make recommendations on the most appropriate means of addressing the underlying causes of substantial waiting lists and waiting times. The review will have particular regard to: the net effect of the current waiting list initiative — WLI — on waiting lists and waiting times; any incentive effects of the WLI on participating hospitals in relation to their activity and treatment schedules; the extent to which hospitals can consistently and accurately validate their waiting lists, and the adequacy of existing information systems to permit routine evaluation of the WLI. It is expected to report in July 1998.
Forum on Medical Manpower
Due to report in 12 to 18 months time.
The Commission on Nursing
Due to report by the end of September, 1998.
Groups have been set up by the Health Service Employers Agency and IMPACT under theProgramme for Competitiveness and Work and in accordance with Labour Court Recommendation 15515. Three separate groups have been established covering ten paramedical grades, medical laboratory technicians-technologists and radiographers. Due to report to the parties concerned by the end of 1998.
