Health Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 May 2022

Wednesday, 18 May 2022

Questions (211)

Martin Browne

Question:

211. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the National Patient Safety Office’s feasibility study into remunerating service user family member carers; if this study involves the service users, family members, carer's and supporters engaging in services in resource centres such as a centre (details supplied); the date this study is likely to conclude; if service users, family members, carer's and supporters have been consulted throughout the course of this study; if not, if the National Patient Safety Office will consider doing so; if he has been contacted by service users, family members, carer's and supporters in relation to having lost payment for their time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25113/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

For clarification the work being conducted by the National Patient Safety Office of my Department on a policy on patient representatives is not a feasibility study on remunerating service user family member carers and is not related to this area of work. I am aware that the HSE is carrying out work on the Service User Carer Programme.

Officials of my Department are developing a policy for the selection and remuneration of patient representatives who participate on committees and working groups that are involved in strategic decision-making in relation to the development of health policy and the design of health services. The purpose of developing a Patient Voice Partner Policy is to ensure that patient participation is embedded in health policy and service development and to ensure that patient voice partners are recognised and valued for their contribution.

It is widely recognised in the health sector, both nationally and internationally, that patients have a central role to play, as service users, in the development of health policy and the reform of the health services. Patient representatives participate on a number of committees and working groups across the Department of Health, the HSE and health agencies and make a significant contribution to the strategic decision-making work of those committees and groups.