Under the Health Act, the HSE is responsible for the operation and delivery of health services in HSE hospitals, with services in the voluntary hospitals provided under section 38 of the Health Act and in accordance with the Service Level Agreements between the HSE and the section 38 hospitals, and in line with the National Service Plan, which sets out the type and volume of health and social care services the HSE will provide for the funding it receives from Government.
With regard to the provision of healthcare services, it should be noted that, medical practitioners are bound through professional regulatory mechanisms to operate in accordance with best medical practice and to have regard to the Guidelines on Standards and Behaviour issued by the Medical Council.