Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
1762. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the way in which funding for each area will be decided under the new regional health areas and community health networks; and the way in which it will be allocated and distributed at regional level. [33989/19]
View answerFollowing last week’s announcement of the Government decision approving the six future regional health areas and publication of the map of the regions, my Department will continue to progress work on the development of detailed policy proposals on reconfiguration of the HSE, including the establishment of regional health bodies. In parallel, the published Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan also include workstreams to develop new models for funding and resource allocation.
These newly identified regional areas will now have clearly defined populations allowing the future bodies to plan, resource and deliver health and social care services for the needs of its population. It will also empower frontline staff and allow for the devolvement of decision-making power from the HSE to each local region.
The regions will be funded using population-based resource allocation models and will be accountable for achieving population health outcomes within this funding.
The regions will have a “one budget, one system” approach, providing improved accountability and governance in terms of finance and performance, equitable resource allocation, and increased clinical governance compliance requirements.
