Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2013
494. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if the establishment of hospital groups will assist in addressing the issue of non-consultant hospital doctors' working hours and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52706/13]
View answerThe introduction of Hospital Groups will provide for organisational change in the first instance, giving more autonomy and better enabling the reorganisation of services in a well-planned manner. Over time, this will help to improve services and service delivery resulting in better outcomes for patients.
Chairs have now been appointed to all seven Hospital Groups. CEOs are in place for three of the Groups, and the process of recruiting CEOs for the remaining four Groups is ongoing through the Public Appointments Service. My Department is also working with the Chairs with a view to appointing the remaining Board members as soon as possible.
A Strategic Advisory Group is now being established, chaired by Mr Leo Kearns, which will oversee the establishment of Hospital Groups and the subsequent reorganisation of acute hospital services. Each group of hospitals will work together as single cohesive entities managed as one, to provide acute care for patients in their area, integrating with community and primary care. This will maximise the amount of care delivered locally, whilst ensuring complex care is safely provided in larger hospitals. Hospital Groups will be required, within one year, to develop a strategic plan which will outline their plans for future services within the group area and the role of hospitals within each group will be considered in detail in the context of this strategic plan.
The establishment of Hospital Groups will promote more efficient use of resources including NCHD staff. I am confident that these necessary reforms will contribute significantly to our health services achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive.
