asked the Minister for Health if he will list the current management consultant assignments in health boards and participating voluntary hospitals; the assignments which had the prior approval of his Department; the name of the consultants/company; the terms of reference of each assignment; when each assignment commenced; the expected duration of each assignment; the reason for the engagement of consultants; and the cost of each assignment.
Written Answers. - Management Consultancy Assignments.
854.
The following management consultancy assignments are at present in progress: (1) Eastern Health Board; (2) North-Eastern Health Board; (3) Mid-Western Health Board.
These assignments which are interrelated, involve the examination of the financial administration of the boards and an evaluation of the organisation and accounting and control systems in operation. The terms of reference also include:
(a) the production of outlines for a standard financial procedures manual;
(b) an assessment of management information requirements;
(c) an evaluation of staff development and training needs; and
(d) an implementation plan giving effect to any recommendations made.
The assignments, which are being carried out by M/s. Coopers and Lybrand Associates commenced in November 1981 and are expected to be completed by end of June 1982. Total fees payable in respect of these assignments is £116,000 (exclusive of VAT) apportioned as follows, Eastern Health Board — £66,000; North-Eastern Health Board — £40,000; Mid-Western Health Board — £10,000.
(4) St. James's Hospital — Arising from a previous assignment, Messrs. Stokes Kennedy Crowley are engaged on a month to month basis to provide assistance in implementation of improvements recommended in financial accounting and control systems. Average monthly cost in fees is £3,000. This arrangement will probably terminate at end of June, 1982.
(5) Apart from the foregoing there are some management consultancy assignments in which certain stages have been completed and for which commitments have been made but, due to phasing arrangements in the carrying out of assignments, are not currently in progress. These include (i) systems developments for the new Beaumont Hospital, (ii) patient administration and pharmacy systems for the Mater Hospital and St. James's Hospital, and (iii) development of a community index for the NorthWestern Health Board.
In general, management consultants are engaged to provide expertise which is not available within the local health agency and to provide also an independent assessment of requirements. All such assignments are funded directly from the Department's Vote and are carried out in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Department of the Public Service. These include prior approval to the assignment, selection procedures, and monitoring by a Steering Committee representative of the Department of Health and the health agency concerned.