Vol. 529 No. 1
546 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals he has to review the respective roles of general practitioners and hospital consultants in terms of optimum service to citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1110/01]
One of the key objectives set for the health services is to develop strategies and structures that will ensure an integrated service that maximises the contribution from each component area or speciality. This is being done by looking at where linkages can be made and examining particular sectors to see how their future development can be shaped to the greatest effect.
In that regard, I am considering the review of general practice undertaken by the chief executive officers of the health boards. That review was concerned with the current organisation and operation of general practice and the barriers that exist to its future strategic development.
When I have completed my consideration, it is my intention to seek the Government's approval to proceed on the basis of the recommendations in the review and to then engage in the fullest consultations with the relevant representative parties, in particular the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish College of General Practitioners, both of which have prepared their own joint vision statement. I envisage that process commencing in late spring.
In addition, the Medical Manpower Forum was established in May 1998 to review the medical staffing in public hospitals. One of the key principles of the forum is to ensure that the highest quality of medical care is provided for those who require the services of hospitals. This will require an increase in the present number of hospital consultant posts and a number of other linked changes. I received the report of the forum following its final meeting on 28 November 2000. The report, among other things, sets out the key requirements for the structuring of consultant posts in the context of both changed work patterns and increases in the consultant work force. I will be submitting this report to Government in the near future.
Both documents referred to above provide an opportunity to examine how best the respective services and service providers can be developed bearing in mind the need for an integrated and coherent approach to the planning, management and delivery of medical and other health services.
