Written Answers. - Health Service Reform.
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
25
Mr. Broughan
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the action he intends to take on foot of the audit of the structures and functions of the health system undertaken by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22513/03]
Eamon Ryan
Question:
75
Mr. Eamon Ryan
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
when he intends to announce the legislative proposals for his health reform package; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22582/03]
Joan Burton
Question:
143
Ms Burton
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the progress made to date in implementing the recommendations of the Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service, commissioned by his Department; if he has satisfied himself with the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20757/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 75 and 143 together.
The health reform programme was announced on 18 June 2003. The programme's priority focus is improved patient care, better value for taxpayers' money and improved health care management. The reform programme has drawn on the conclusions and recommendations of the two reports, the Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service and the Audit of Structures and Functions in the Heath System, which were also published on the same day.
The Government considered the recommendations made in both reports and has decided on a number of priority actions to move on system reform.
The new structure set out in this reform programme will provide a clear national focus on ser vice delivery and executive management. It will achieve this through reduced fragmentation and the creation of clear and unambiguous accountability throughout the system.
The Government agreed that to succeed it would be necessary to clearly set out the Government's vision of reform to all within the existing health system, including board members, staff and staff representatives. This engagement was undertaken as a vital first step in the implementation process. This is the process on which we have been engaged during the last number of months.
The Secretary General and I briefed every senior manager of every agency in the system in the days after the Government's decision. There followed a visit to every health board area meeting large numbers of staff and board members.
The Department commissioned the Office for Health Management to conduct an information and consultation exercise reaching as many people and agencies as possible in the system. Over 20,000 staff were directly engaged with over the summer months and into September. The draft report of the OHM is currently with the Department and will be made public shortly. Overall co-ordination of the change programme is supported by a project office, led at assistant secretary level, which reports to the Secretary General of the Department.
Output to date from the project office includes: a draft project plan for the reform programme, identifying manageable phases of implementation; and establishment of 13 action projects to advance specific elements of the programme by end year.
The next steps will involve the appointment of a national steering committee to oversee the implementation process and the establishment of a board for the interim health service executive. I am considering possible nominees for both bodies at the moment. I intend to report back to Government shortly with proposed appointees, in consultation with the Minister for Finance.
The reforms will require legislation to implement them. Work has commenced on the preparation of this legislation, which will provide the statutory basis for the establishment of the new health service executive and related structures. The new legislation will also incorporate other legal changes required and my aim will be to introduce the necessary legislation next year.
I am satisfied that the preparatory work on which we have been engaged has been undertaken with the appropriate degree of professionalism and urgency. This programme affects every aspect of the health system and everyone working in it – close to 100,000 people. If it is to have lasting impact, particularly for patients and clients, it must be professionally planned and executed.
I am more than satisfied that the planning and initial consultation phase we have just completed will pay dividends in the longer run.
