Vol. 551 No. 4
131 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the long delay in having the primary care task force operate; and when the final appointments will be made in order for the task force to proceed with its work. [10667/02]
Work has been under way in my Department on the arrangements for the establishment of the primary care task force. The membership of the key multidisciplinary team of staff which will drive the implementation of the changes set out in the primary care strategy is being finalised at present.
The work of the task force will now proceed so that the objectives set out in the strategy, of having the health boards prepare needs assessments for primary care teams by the end of 2002, can be achieved. In parallel with this a number of primary care pilot projects will be established around the country, in preparation for the development of a wider network in subsequent years, in line with the targets set out in the strategy.
