Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 March 2005
152 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the details of the membership of the working group set up to consider the recommendations of the Pollock report on the treatment of cystic fibrosis here; when and the frequency with which this group will meet; the timescales for completing the work of this group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9703/05]
View answerThe Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for health services for patients with cystic fibrosis.
The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland commissioned Dr. Ronnie Pollock to review the existing hospital services for people with cystic fibrosis in the context of accepted international standards. Dr. Pollock's report was officially launched earlier this year.
The report provides an assessment of need for current and future cystic fibrosis patients and makes a number of recommendations with regard to the numbers and categories of staff that are appropriate for a modern, multi-disciplinary cystic fibrosis service. The report concluded that cystic fibrosis care should be provided in fewer units of a more significant size so that viable staffing levels can be maintained and to ensure that staff have a sufficient workload to enable them to maintain their skills level.
Following the publication of the Pollock report, the Health Service Executive met the Cystic Fibrosis Association and agreed to the latter's request to establish a working group to consider the report's recommendations. The composition of the working group, and other related issues such as the timescale for completion of its report, are matters for the HSE. Accordingly, my Department has requested the executive to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to these matters.
