Vol. 411 No. 6
80 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the main findings of the recently produced O'Kennedy report on Dublin Hospitals; if it is intended to implement the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter
I have recently launched the four reports of the Dublin Hospital Initiative Group, which I established early in 1990 and which was chaired by Professor David Kennedy.
The group's task was to examine the arrangements for the provision of services in the acute general hospitals in Dublin.
The group's first report contains a series of recommendations in relation to the implementation of "best practices" and policies in each of the hospitals so as to ensure the delivery of quality health care with maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
The group's second report deals with the organisational structures in the Dublin area.
The group's third report deals with out-patient services; the management of in-patient waiting lists; referrals of patients from outside the Dublin area; and geriatric services.
The final report contains an overview of the group's work, their overall conclusions and final recommendations.
I have asked Professor Kennedy to chair a new advisory group which will oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the Dublin Hospital Initiative Group in relation to acute hospital service issues.
The group will also advise me on other matters relating to the future development of hospital services in the Dublin region to which I will refer from time to time. I have already invited the members of the Dublin Hospital Initiative Group to serve on the new advisory group and I have also invited Mr. Noel Fox, who has carried out an efficiency review of the Dublin acute hospitals, to be a member of the group.
