Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020
248. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has developed and utilised a geographic resource allocation model to ensure equitable allocation of healthcare resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17842/20]
View answerCentral to improving population health and reducing inequalities is the ability to estimate a populations’ health needs and use this information to design, deliver and evaluate services that meet those needs, within the resources available. One policy measure used to address observed differences between population profiles and promote equitable distribution of available funding is population-based (needs-based) resource allocation. Often referred to as population-based funding formulas, the aim of these frameworks is to adjust capitation funding across the population according to variation in need and the cost of providing required services and supports.
Policy makers are considering the options for implementing population-based resource allocation in Ireland. A review is currently being conducted by the Centre for Health Policy and Management, Trinity College Dublin that aims to inform Irish health care policy by describing models of population-based resource allocation and synthesising evidence about their implementation and impact. Three questions are addressed as part of this review:
1. What are the key concepts and methodological approaches related to population-based resource allocation?
2. How are population-based resource allocation policies specified and realised?
3. What is known about the implementation or impact of population-based resource allocation policies?
This review is expected to be finalised in the coming months.
The HSE 2020 National Service Plan specifies:
Work with the National Health Intelligence Unit to support population health planning and needs assessment in the context of the new regional health areas to develop capacity to support health and well-being services to deliver on health and wellbeing priorities (Health Service Executive 2019)
This work by the HSE had been put on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic.
