Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2015
525. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the date on which his Department received the international evidence review on independent hospital trusts undertaken by the Health Research Board at his Department's request; when he will publish this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29932/15]
View answerA literature review of Independent Hospital Trusts was requested from the Health Research Board by my Department in 2011, to inform policy development. It is regarded as best practice that academic articles and reviews undergo peer review prior to publication. The Health Research Board advised my Department that the peer review undertaken identified a requirement for some further work on this literature review.
In this regard, it was agreed that the original literature review should be supplemented by additional case studies. The case studies have been completed, with appropriate material for integration into the literature review identified. This work has also been peer reviewed and is now being finalised by the Health Research Board for submission to its Board in September, in the first instance, and then for formal submission to my Department. It is expected that the Health Research Board will publish the review thereafter.
