Vol. 556 No. 3
507 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to introduce the national client eligibility index in the North-Western Health Board; the criteria and the benefits of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19960/02]
The general medical services payments board is progressing the development of the central client eligibility index as part of the wider e-Government programme. Initially the system is being piloted in the North-Eastern Health Board and it is intended that will be rolled out to other health boards, including the North-Western Health Board, in 2003.
The main benefit of the system is that care providers will be able to check a client's eligibility for services on-line. It is intended that this facility will be made available to pharmacists in the first instance. The system will also provide better management information and more accountability in relation to expenditure on primary care.
I anticipate that the system will represent a considerable step forward in the development of electronic services in the health sector.
