Vol. 501 No. 3
80 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the need for the provision of a comprehensive and integrated health service with a view to meeting the requirements of current and projected population and demographic trends; his views on the need for strategic investment in key areas in order to meet these requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5956/99]
The health strategy – Shaping a Healthier Future – reflects an acceptance of the benefits to be derived from strategic management in seeking to provide a comprehensive integrated health service to meet the current and projected needs of our population. The strategy sets health and social gain for patients at its core and specifically addresses the issue of creating better linkages between different aspects of the health services so that from the patient's point of view an integrated seamless service is received. The programme for Government – An Action Programme for the Millennium – further emphasises a strategic approach to our health services.
I am aware of the way in which health service requirements can be affected by population trends, in particular by the ongoing increase in the percentage of older persons, the increase in recent years in the number of births and the increased life expectancy of persons with mental and physical disability. These population trends are a major consideration in my Department's planning of health service developments generally. In this regard an important exercise which will commence shortly will review services for older people and related hospital services.
Service plans, which health boards are required to submit annually to me as Minister for Health and Children under the Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act, 1996, provide an opportunity to review requirements across the range of health services. Reports of the directors of public health also serve to draw attention to population and other trends with implications for health and health services.
