Vol. 563 No. 1
395 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the concerns of the medical board of the Mid-Western Regional Hospital regarding reports of fragmenting the existing Mid-Western Health Board into both a western and southern health authority (details supplied). [6953/03]
I assume the Deputy is referring to recommendations which may emerge from the audit of structures and functions of the health system. As I have already outlined to the House, the report of the consultants has not yet been completed. The terms of reference included consideration of the structures and functions of both health boards or authorities and other specialist, advisory, regulat ory and executive agencies under my aegis. The terms of reference also require prospectus to make recommendations to improve corporate governance arrangements in the health system.
The details supplied by the Deputy also refer to the ongoing work of the national task force on medical staffing. While the prospectus report takes cognisance of the ongoing work of the task force, it does not attempt to pre-empt or constrain the Government regarding any implications for the configuration of hospital services in the future arising from this separate and independent study.
It is not possible at this stage to speculate on the recommendations and their potential impact, if any, on specific service delivery units whether they be acute, primary care, continuing care or other community services. However, given the terms of reference outlined, I am confident the recommendations will be in the interests of an improved system of service delivery, greater accountability, quality and value for money.
