Olivia Mitchell
Question:119 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children when the National Health Executive will be established and be ready to commence work. [27399/03]
Written Answers. - Health Service Reform.
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:124 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps taken to date to implement the recommendations of the Commission on the Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service; if he has satisfied himself with the progress made to date; when the implementation body will be established; if it will have an independent chairperson, as recommended; when the HSE will be established; the way in which these bodies will be funded for 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27548/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 124 together.
The report of the Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service is just one element of the Government's health service reform programme which also reflects key recommendations of the audit of structures and functions of the health system, undertaken by Prospectus strategy consultants. The reform programme is an extremely ambitious programme of change which cannot be implemented without detailed planning and transition management.
I have outlined, in this House, the activity already completed or under way on implementation of the programme. The Government agreed that to succeed it would be necessary to clearly set out its 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 past 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 during the summer months and into September. The draft report of the OHM is now completed. 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 my 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 work of these action projects is well under way at this stage. 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 undertaken will pay dividends in the longer run and that the reform programme is being advanced at the appropriate manner and pace for change of this order.
The establishment of the health service executive on a statutory basis will require legislative changes. 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. It is my intention that, assuming the legislation can be advanced in a timely fashion, the health service executive will be in place on a statutory basis in 2005.
The Government decision on funding of the reform programme provided that funding in 2003 would be met from within the existing allocation. This has been achieved. Provision for 2004 has been the subject of discussion during the Estimates process. I am satisfied that there will be adequate provision for the advancement of the programme, including the funding of the interim health service executive in 2004.
The Government has agreed on the appointment of an executive chair for the interim health service executive and the formalities of that appointment are currently being worked through. In parallel, I am currently in the process of inviting other individuals with the required competencies to become members of the board and I expect to have that process completed by the end of the current week. I will be making a public announcement on the appointment of the board at the earliest opportunity.
Following on the appointment of the board, I will be bringing proposals to Government on the membership of the national steering group.