David Cullinane
Question:1146. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish six new regional health areas; the timeline for the delivery of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21460/20]
View answerTuesday, 8 September 2020
Questions (1146)
Written answers
Following the announcement by the outgoing Government in July 2019 of the geographies for six new regional health areas, a joint action programme co-sponsored by the HSE, the Department of Health and the Sláintecare Programme Implementation Office was initiated to commence work on the reconfiguration of the health service and development of Regional Health Areas. A draft programme plan was considered by the programme sponsors in early 2020, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 emergency. In April 2020, recognising the need for a robust programme plan to support a reform of this scale, the Sláintecare Programme Implementation Office engaged contractors to work with Sláintecare, HSE and DOH to validate (insofar as possible) the draft programme plan for the service reconfiguration and development of the Regional Health Areas and develop recommendations to enhance the plan based upon international learnings and insights. This work was overseen by the programme sponsors and was completed in May. This report, including the enhanced programme plan, is being considered and finalised. As agreed, when the new Regional Health Areas geographies were announced last summer, a business plan for the establishment of these health areas is expected to be brought to Government for its approval. The intention is that this plan will set out the high-level organisational design for the system, including: the respective roles, functions, responsibilities and accountabilities of the Department of Health, HSE centre and new regional structures; the relationship between these entities; and the overall legal construct. These proposals should also outline a timeline for the establishment of regional organisations and for any legislative changes required to realise the Sláintecare vision.