Written Answers. - Health-care Provision.
Michael D. Higgins
Question:
89
Mr. M. Higgins
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
his views on the recent document produced by a society, details supplied, which described the provision of health-care, particularly to the disadvantaged, as a shambles; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19205/01]
When I launched the Saint Vincent de Paul's report on health inequalities and poverty, recently, I acknowledged the important role which they have played in our society for many years in drawing to the attention of the public and the administrators and politicians some of the inequities which persist in our society. I welcome the report for its contribution to the complex area of health and social exclusion, an area that this Government has particularly focused on.
As commented on by the society in its report, the 1999 annual report of the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health and Chil dren drew attention to the fact that "inequalities in health status between socio-economic groups in this country have been demonstrated and are persisting" and that the factors involved in the relationship between ill health and socio-economic background are complex and hard to unravel. However, we know that poverty can lead to ill health and in turn ill health can lead to poverty.
In 1998, my Department commissioned the first national representative survey of lifestyle practices, the national health and lifestyle surveys, to provide baseline data to plan future interventions. This research reached similar conclusions as the health strategy. The data forms the basis of my Department's new health promotion strategy for the years 2000 to 2005. This has specific strategic aims and objectives that will contribute to reducing health inequalities.
Many of the causal factors of health inequalities, such as poverty and unemployment, are outside the direct control of the health services. Inter-sectoral collaboration is required to tackle these problems. The Cabinet committee on social inclusion, chaired by the Taoiseach, includes Ministers from eight relevant Departments who meet regularly. Also, the NAPS interdepartmental group provides the principal strategic focus for the national anti poverty strategy, NAPS. This strategy was published in 1997 and set out a programme to reduce poverty and social exclusion both in general and in a number of key policy areas. Substantial progress has been made in achieving the original targets.
As part of its commitment to tackling social exclusion, the Government gave a commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness to review the national anti-poverty strategy across all relevant Government Departments, and to develop NAPS targets in the health area with an associated monitoring and implementation framework. That exercise is now being carried out by the Institute of Public Health in consultation with the social partners under the auspices of a working group on NAPS and health established by my Department. A final report is expected this summer.
With the assistance of the Institute of Public Health, the working group is trying to ensure that the consultation process is as inclusive as possible so that people who are poor or socially excluded have a genuine opportunity to tell us what they think would improve their health situation. To avoid duplication, this consultation is being co-ordinated with that for the national health strategy, with the same liaison officers co-ordinating both processes at health board level. The results of the NAPS and health consultation will be one of the important elements feeding into the new national health strategy.
The new national health strategy is now being prepared to address the major issues still facing the health system. Building on the previous strategy, "Shaping a Healthier Future", the new strat egy will outline the proposed development in the health system for the next five to seven years in regard to improving our nation's health status. The overall objective of the strategy will be to provide a timely, safe and quality patient centred service on the basis of need.
The Deputy may be aware that in keeping with the commitment under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, the health board chief executive officers are examining the operations of the medical card scheme in consultation with the social partners. Particular emphasis is being placed on the needs of families with children, and on removing anomalies and barriers to take-up, including information deficits. The review is expected to be completed mid-year.
A sustained and strategic programme of public investment, coupled with appropriate and effective programmes of care, are essential building blocks for a high quality health system. For this reason, the dual approach of significant funding backed by a series of reforming strategies has been the hallmark of this Government's commitment to the health services. The overall budget for health services for 2001 is now over £5 billion, representing a doubling of exchequer input since 1997. On 1 January 2001 there were 1,560 consultant posts in the public sector in Ireland as compared to 1,292 posts in 1997, a net increase of 268 posts. There have been significant advances in many programmes. Last year over 70,000 more day cases and almost 12,500 more in-patient cases were dealt with in our hospitals than were dealt with in 1997. These 82,500 extra cases were dealt with as a result of increased funding and a series of effective initiatives in the health system.
A further example of substantial investment is the allocation of over £60 million under the national cancer strategy since 1997. In addition, significant increases in revenue funding for services for older people from £10 million in 1997 to £57.5 million in 2001 have resulted so far in approximately 880 new staff, 400 additional beds and 1000 new day care places.
In addition, a total of £2 billion was made available to the Department of Health and Children at the launch of the national development plan in January 2000 for the period 2000-06. The plan will bring positive benefits to all sections of the health services. It will, for example, enable substantial improvements in the physical infrastructure and equipping of acute hospitals, and in facilities for the intellectually and physically disabled, older persons, mental health and child care. The plan also provides for much needed investment in other areas such as new health centres and in the important area of information technology. The thrust of the plan is to create an infrastructure on a regional basis, that will bring significant advances in delivering a more patient-centred and accessible service.
Much work has already been done in Ireland on a multi-sectoral approach to poverty and social inclusion. It is essential that we continue to build and improve on the framework in place in the context of revised NAPS targets, NDP funding, and the commitments contained in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
